Brad Barr-USA Today Sports
Freddie Freeman released some serious frustration to the media earlier this month.
Optimism ran high for a career-year in 2013, hitting clean-up in a formidable lineup. The first baseman got off to a hot start as he posted a .412 batting average through the first week of the season. This was after his unfortunate 2012 season that saw him suffer through a knee and finger injury, as well as vision problems. 2013 looked to be a fresh start for the 23-year-old.
Then Freeman grabbed his oblique in a game against the Chicago Cubs, and the Atlanta Braves decided to place him on the 15-day disabled list despite the fervent protests that he was not a fan of the decision.
He returned to the lineup on April 23, but it wasn’t until Sunday that he truly made his return.
Freeman unleashed some more frustration by going 3-for-5 with a home run and three RBI in the Braves’ 9-4 win over the New York Mets on Sunday.
The true sign that Freeman could be in line for a hot streak was his display of power to the opposite field. He drove his third inning two-RBI double to left field, and his solo home run cleared the 380 sign in left-center. He is most dangerous when he utilizes all parts of the field as he displayed on Sunday.
His three-hit game on Sunday was his second since returning from the DL, but he had just one extra-base hit in that time frame–a double in Colorado. Since the injury, his average dropped from .412 to .288 entering Sunday’s game.
The Braves lineup has been a thing of beauty or unwatchable to this point in 2013. They could use a more steady approach night-in and night-out. Freeman is a player who can provide that consistency each night.
The 2013 season could still be that career year that he and many Braves’ fans envisioned at the start of the season.
