Freddie Freeman

In a season where the headlines were dominated by phenoms Ronald Acuna and Ozzie Albies, Freeman was the rock in the three hole for the Braves in their resurgent season. He played in all 162 games for the second time in his nine-year career while hitting over .300 (.309) for a third straight season. Freeman did experience a dip in power with his lowest home-run rate since 2014 (3.3%), but managed to offset that somewhat by leading the majors in hits (191) and doubles -- a career-high 44. He also notched a career-best 10 steals and has attempted 13 steals in back-to-back seasons, so look for him to be a modest contributor on the bases again in 2019. With an impressive young core and the free-agent addition of Josh Donaldson, Atlanta's offense continues to trend up, giving Freeman a chance to improve on his 2018 counting stats. First base is no longer a bastion of elite fantasy hitters, but Freeman is an exception entering his age-29 season.

Freeman was forced to miss six-plus weeks after suffering a broken left wrist in May, and he continued to deal with soreness and weakness in the wrist in the months following his return. You wouldn't be able to tell by simply looking at the numbers, as Freeman posted a healthy .292/.375/.515 line with 14 homers in 80 games after his activation in early July. But Freeman told MLB.com late in the season that it felt like he was "swinging a wet newspaper." The 28-year-old has excellent plate skills -- he's posted double-digit walk rates in six consecutive seasons and trimmed his strikeout rate to a career-low 18.5 percent last season. Meanwhile, his power has ticked up over the past two years thanks in large part to an increase in flyball rate (over 40 percent in 2016 and 2017). SunTrust Park was quite favorable for lefty power in its inaugural year, so with better health, Freeman should be able to return to elite territory.

In a year where many players set career highs in homers, Freeman nearly matched his total from the previous two seasons combined. He was healthy all year and had 83 extra-base hits and hit over .300 despite a 25 percent strikeout rate. The power spike came from two areas: a 41 percent flyball rate and 44 percent hard-contact rate, both career highs. While lefties and righties did not pose any issues for him in terms of average (.303 vs RHP; .301 vs LHP), 27 of his 34 home runs came against righties and his strikeout rate against southpaws was 28 percent versus 23 percent against righties. He has failed to drive in 100 runs for three consecutive seasons due to injury as well as questionable talent around him, but both showed signs of improvement in 2016.

Freeman was limited to 118 games in 2015, the first time he has missed more than 15 games since becoming a full-time starter for the Braves in 2011. When healthy, Freeman was the same player he has always been: a doubles machine with a penchant for strikeouts who has yet to take the power leap necessary to become an elite first baseman. Freeman's 18 home runs matches his total from 2014; his 23 home runs per 150 games pace would have matched his career high set in 2012 and tied again in 2013. At 26 years old, Freeman could still be growing into his power. If he can turn some of those doubles — 70 over the past two seasons — into home runs, he'll be one of the best first basemen in the league. Part of the problem is a tough home park for power in Atlanta, but until the home run totals tick upwards, Freeman is teasing us with potential.

Considered by many to be a top-five fantasy option at first base entering 2014, Freeman finished outside of the top-10 in roto value at the position despite playing a full 162 games. He provided early returns on the eight-year, $135 million extension the Braves gave him in the offseason, batting .333/.409/.594 with six homers in April, but Freeman hit above .277 in just one of the season's final five months after not hitting below .291 in any month of the 2013 campaign. Freeman improved his walk rate by more than two percent (from 10.5% to 12.7%), but his strikeouts were up slightly, and his ISO fell again to .173. His numbers against lefties also declined, going from .287/.367/.397 in 2013 to .260/.358/.398 last season, and his contact rate dipped close to two percent (from 77.5% to 75.8%). The 25-year-old's drop in power, from an already below-average level relative to most first basemen, may scare many off, but his HR/FB rate was down more than three percent from 2013, lending hope to the idea he can easily return to the 20-plus homer threshold in 2015. Further, Freeman has proven very durable, playing in at least 147 games in four straight seasons, and he's locked into the three-hole in the Atlanta order. The profit margin is intriguing, but owners will want to make a conscious effort to make up for the lost power by compensating at other positions.

At first glance, Freeman's 2013 numbers appear to show a marked improvement from 2012, but there are reasons for skepticism. He drew just two more walks than he did in 2012, while striking out only eight fewer times. While Freeman finished second in the National League in RBI with 109, and third in the league with a .319 average, he hit .443 with runners in scoring position, and benefited greatly from a .371 BABIP. Moreover, his ISO dropped from .196 to .181, and he notched just 18 extra-base hits on the road, down from 28 in 2012. Now, all that said, Freeman hit lefties with far more consistency, improving his average against southpaws by 50 points (from .237 to .287), and his overall OPS by 101 points. Freeman didn't hit below .291 in any month of the season, and he appeared in 147 games, a number he's reached in three consecutive seasons. Still just 24 years old, Freeman is locked in at first base and likely into the three-hole in the batting order for Atlanta. While at least a slight regression in average and RBI seems inevitable, he's still an enticing fantasy option.

Freeman's 2012 season ended up being remarkably similar to his rookie campaign of 2011. He had just five more extra-base hits while his OPS went up by just one point. His batting average dropped down to .259 but his strikeout rate dropped slightly and his walk rate improved slightly, indicating that he was showing an improved eye at the plate. Freeman's .282 batting average in 2011 was in part the result of a high batting average on balls in play. In 2012, his BABIP dropped closer to the league average, which could mean that he is closer to being a .260 hitter than a .280 hitter. His RBI and runs both took a big jump in 2012 after he found himself in a more favorable position in the batting order. Just 23, Freeman may not be a top-10 first baseman just yet, but he could take a step forward with improvement against left-handed pitching (.237/.315/.399) or on the road (.245/.314/.421).

Freeman's first season as a regular in the Atlanta lineup was a success as he finished second in the NL Rookie of the Year award voting to teammate Craig Kimbrel. Freeman hit .282 with 21 home runs, but just 76 RBI as he hit lower in the order much of the season. While Freeman draws walks at a decent rate, he struck out 142 times and his below-average contact rate could hurt his batting average. His 22 home runs and .794 OPS were not elite for a first baseman and some have questioned if he'll develop significant power. However, at 6-5 and 220 pounds, he has the body to hit more home runs and will be just 22 years old next season. He'll get every opportunity to become an elite first baseman as Atlanta's everyday starter. Keep an eye on his health this spring, as Freeman suffered a knee injury in late February could miss a week or two of Grapefruit League action.

Freeman is Atlanta's top hitting prospect who is expected to take over everyday duty at first base in 2011. Freeman was outstanding at Triple-A at just 20 years old by hitting .319/.378/.518 with 18 home runs. He later got his first taste of the majors in September. Freeman has a strong eye at the plate and increased his power numbers at Triple-A, which should continue to improve as he fills out his frame. He also plays strong defense, which should help him stay in the lineup if he struggles initially. He's a leading candidate for NL Rookie of the Year as a result.

Freeman is Atlanta's first baseman of the future and could be a factor in the majors as early as 2010. After hitting .302/.394/.447 at High-A, he hit .298/.337/.452 at Double-A in July at just 19 years old before suffering a hand injury that limited him in the second half and ultimately ended his season. He's got a strong eye at the plate and should develop more power as he grows. He'll likely start the season at Double-A, but a strong start to the year could see him promoted aggressively. He's a top keeper to grab as a result.

Freeman, a 2007 second-round pick, had a breakout season with good power and plate discipline. Finishing his first full year as a pro just prior to his 19th birthday, Freeman hit .316/.378/.521 with 18 homers in 491 at-bats at Low-A Rome after struggling in the Gulf Coast League in 2007. Given his age and the significant leap in production this early in his career, Freeman should be on the radar for those in keeper leagues, even though he's unlikely to make his major league debut until at least 2010.