Guardians Baseball Insider

With their 2nd round CompB pick (#71 overall) in the 2017 Draft the Cleveland Indians have selected shortstop Tyler Freeman Etiwanda High School (CA).

Born: 5/21/1999 – Height: 6’0″ – Weight: 165 – Bats: Right – Throws: Right

Tony’s Take: Freeman is an interesting selection here as the Indians possibly passed on other players with more exciting tools for a player who is just a good solid average player across the board. While he was drafted as a shortstop his arm is average and may not be enough to stick at shortstop, so a move to second base appears to be in the cards for him at some point down the road. He shows good bat-to-ball ability, hits a lot of line drives, shows a good approach and has above average speed, so there are some offensive qualities that have the potential to grow and show more as he develops. He is once again another high makeup player the Indians targeted in the draft and believe his high energy, work ethic, desire and coachability will help him achieve and possibly surpass some of his future tool grades. He has a chance to become a solid Major League middle infielder and at worst profiles as a utility player. He has a strong commitment to TCU, but the expectation is he will sign and he should report to rookie level Arizona later this summer.

Jeff Ellis: Tyler Freeman on the surface reminds me a lot of Tony Wolters. He is an undersized California shortstop without a plus tool who is likely going to move to second base. He is a player that scouts and coaches love – a dirtbag-type who does everything right. He also fits the Indians model of youth as he just turned 18 at the end of May. He has shown a strong eye and approach at the plate and does a bit of everything just nothing plus. In what seems to be the theme for the night other than age Freeman’s top tool is his foot speed. 

Press Release: Freeman, 18, batted .526 (51-97) with 8 doubles, 4 triples, 4 home runs, 36 RBI and 35 runs scored in 30 games for Etiwanda High School in Rancho Cucamonga, California.  He was named a 2017 Rawlings-Perfect Game 1st Team All-American after leading the state of California high school players in batting average. He was named Baseline League MVP, leading his team to a 27-3 record and CIF (California Interscholastic Federation) Southern Section Division 2 title. Freeman has signed a National Letter of Intent with TCU.