Freddie Freeman – Atlanta Braves’ Mr. Consistent

Atlanta Braves’s First Baseman Freddie Freeman is Mr. Consistent and will continue that trend in 2020

With the recent news of Atlanta Braves‘ first baseman, Freddie Freeman, testing positive for COVID-19, we discuss what to expect from Freddie upon his return to the Braves’ starting lineup in July (hopefully!).

Freddie Freeman is the Atlanta Braves’ most consistent All-Star and has been for several years. Barring injuries, Freeman will always be in the starting lineup for 150+ games of a 162 regular season schedule.

And while his status for opening day, still unannounced, of the 2020 Atlanta Braves season is in question, coaches, teammates, and players alike know that Freeman will produce whenever he steps on to the field.

Freeman’s numbers over the past two seasons have rightly earned him back-to-back trips to the all-star game and top-10 finishes in National League MVP voting. His slash lines over the past two seasons have been as follows:

• 2018: .309/.388/.505/.892
• 2019: .295/.389/.549/.938

What to Expect when Freddie Returns

When Freddie Freeman returns to the starting lineup at first base, you can expect to see the following in 2020:

• Freeman will hit 13 to 16 HRs in the regular season

In 2019, Freeman averaged 3.77 at-bats per game, and averaged a HR every 15.71 ABs. Assuming Freddie is in the starting lineup on opening day, and that he also plays all 60 games – which he probably will given his track record – we are predicting Freeman to see 226.2 at-bats and hit 14.4 home runs in 2020.

Give or take a few off days, or slumps at the plate, Freeman will hit ~15 home runs and finish second in team home runs behind Ronald Acuna Jr.

Of note, this prediction becomes more uncertain when you consider the time Freeman will need to spend recovering from the coronavirus – which puts him behind his teammates in terms of preparedness for the shortened 2020 season.

• Freeman will win his second Silver Slugger award

Freddie Freeman beat out Pete Alonso and Josh Bell to win his first Silver Slugger award in 2019, joining Ronald Acuna Jr. and Ozzie Albies in that incredible honor. Freeman will continue his incredibly consistent trend in 2020 and lock down his second Silver Slugger award.

Freeman recorded a base hit every 3.39 at-bats in 2019. If he sees our predicted amount of 226.2 at-bats he should finish with ~67 hits.

Through the first 60 games of the 2019 season, Freeman finished with the following slash line: .306/.392/.570. He also had accumulated 15 home runs and 72 hits. We expect a similar slash line for Freeman after the shortened 2020 season.

Freeman’s toughest competition for the NL Silver Slugger award will most likely remain Pete Alonso and Josh Bell. In 2019, Alonso and Bell had accumulated the following slash lines:

• Pete Alonso: .265/.343/.612
• Josh Bell: .338/.398/.692

Given Josh Bell’s numbers after 60 games in 2019, he would clearly be the favorite to win the Silver Slugger award if he produces those numbers again in 2020.

If Freeman can finish the 2020 regular season with a .300+ BA/.390+OBP/.590+SLG then I believe he does lock down his second silver slugger award. The slugging percentage is the most difficult part of the equation for Freeman, but anything can happen in baseball!

• Freeman will finish in the top five of NL MVP voting

This one is a bit of a stretch, I know, but I am willing to roll with this one. Freeman has some outstanding talent to battle for the MVP honor, including in his own dugout, but Freeman has the talent to get hot fast and stay that way for the shortened season.

It is an uphill battle for Freddie right now. As our own Jake Mastroianni reported last week, Freeman will have to beat out Christian Yelich, Mookie Betts, and his brother-in-arms Ronald Acuna Jr. for MVP honors.

That amazing competition is the reason I am predicting he will finish in the top five, not win the NL MVP award. His talent easily lends itself to a top-five finish beating out the likes of Bryce Harper, Nolan Arenado, Fernando Tatis Jr., and Juan Soto.

Before Freeman’s positive test of the coronavirus he was listed at +2000 odds to win the NL MVP award. Atlanta Braves’ fans are hopeful Freeman can bring home the MVP award, but even more hopeful that Freeman is in the lineup on opening day.

Freddie Freeman will continue to be the most consistent player in the Braves’ dugout in 2020. Fans should also look to see Freeman leading the Atlanta Braves to a deep playoff run, and hopeful World Series championship, in 2020 – if they can only get past the first round.