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Atlanta Braves Freddie Freeman’s Bat Has Been Absent When It Matters Most

By Josh Brown

May 25, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) reacts after flying out in the third inning of their game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Turner Field. The Brewers won 3-2 in 13 innings. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
May 25, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) reacts after flying out in the third inning of their game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Turner Field. The Brewers won 3-2 in 13 innings. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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Freddie Freeman is currently struggling offensively where it matters most. Is he truly the elite offensive first basemen that so many of us think he is?

Freddie Freeman is no doubt the most beloved Atlanta Brave currently. He’s Braves fans link to the past and hope for the future.

Freeman is batting .256 on the year after a terrible start. .256 alone is not concerning. It is, after all, May still. But it’s HOW Freeman is batting .256 which is troubling.

It is no secret that the Atlanta Braves are having a bad season. We can point fingers and blame it on a multitude of things. But what we can all agree upon one thing – We all knew going into this season that the Braves were not going to be playoff contenders.

The Braves are 0-11 in home games decided by one or two runs (2-19 overall at home). Translation – The Atlanta Braves have failed to win close games at home this year, like all of them.

Now that we understand that the Braves are especially bad at winning close games at home, we must now talk about what kind of offensive player would help in such a situation – A clutch bat.

Here’s how Websters defines the word “clutch” – (in sport) denoting or occurring in a critical situation in which the outcome of a game or competition is at stake.

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Does this define Freddie Freeman in 2016? No. The most historically “clutch bat” the Atlanta Braves have on the team has been completely absent thus far. Not only has it been absent – It’s been absent when needed most.

When no one is on base this year, Freddie Freeman is batting an okay .266. But when the team needs his bat the most, he falls apart.

With runners in scoring position, Freddie is batting .135. With two outs and runners in scoring position, Freddie is batting .071. In late and close games, Freddie is batting .148.

Out of all first basemen in baseball, Freddie Freeman‘s .135 BA with RISP is dead last.

Tyler Flowers and Gordon Beckham are currently more clutch at the plate than Freddie Freeman. ERICK AYBAR currently has a better batting average (.194) with runners in scoring position than Freddie Freeman.

Now, historically Freddie’s clutch stats in 2016 are completely against the norm. Historically he’s a late inning threat and a huge threat with RISP. He’s a lifetime .301 batter with RISP. But so far this year, the story is drastically different.

Sure, Freddie Freeman has eight home runs this season, but can he help the team win a close baseball game and is he dependable with guys on base? So far, the answer is a resounding NO.

Rebuilding the Atlanta Braves organization was crucial to the franchise after Frank Wren depleted the farm system. However, winning baseball games is also crucial. For two reasons – The fans pay money to attend baseball games and winning IS part of developing players. But if the Atlanta Braves are going to start winning baseball games, they need Freddie Freeman to be a threat at the plate.

Freddie Freeman is a good offensive first baseman. And his 2016 numbers should not be indicative of his overall offensive ability. Freddie Freeman is merely in a slump.

Next: Atlanta Braves Minor League Mid-Week Wrap: May 26

However, is Freddie Freeman truly an elite offensive first baseman? Or is his bat a closer resemblance to Ryan Klesko than Paul Goldschmidt?

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