Back On The Dirt, Rangers’ Cody Freeman’s Bat Comes Alive
The Rangers’ 2019 draft class has produced four big leaguers so far: first-round third baseman Josh Jung, supplemental first-round third baseman Davis Wendzel, third-round righthander Justin Slaten and sixth-round lefthander Cody Bradford.
Fourth-rounder Cody Freeman is trying to make it five.
Drafted as a shortstop out of high school in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., Freeman converted to catcher in 2022 and 2023. But now he’s an infielder again, and the results are showing up at the plate at Double-A Frisco.
The 23-year-old third baseman hit .298/.359/.490 with six home runs through 42 games.
Freeman’s bat suffered during his time behind the plate, because the Rangers put a heavy emphasis on defense with their young catchers.
He’s still doing pregame work behind the plate, including catching bullpen sessions, but the Rangers need him at third base. But without the grind of catching, Freeman is seeing better results at the plate.
“There is some favor toward playing infield,” Freeman said. “You’ll get that late at-bat, and you’re not tired. At third base, every at-bat feels like the first at-bat.”
With three catchers on the Frisco roster, Freeman has not appeared in a game behind the plate. He can play second base and shortstop in addition to third base.
“I’m a utility guy, so wherever and whenever they need me, I’ll play,” Freeman said. “Right before spring training, I was told to get an outfield glove.
“Catching, it’s not something I’ve given up on—or they’ve given up on.”
RANGERS ROUNDUP
— Righthander Alejandro Rosario posted a 1.78 ERA for Low-A Down East after six starts and had 38 strikeouts and five walks in 25.1 innings. He walked 41 in 74.2 innings and had a 7.11 ERA in his final collegiate season at Miami before the Rangers drafted him in the fifth round in 2023. Dialing in his control hasn’t cost Rosario velocity. He still reaches 100 mph.
— Outfielder Yeison Morrobel, who missed almost all of the 2023 campaign with a shoulder injury, was batting .264 with a .733 OPS for High-A Hickory through 44 games. Morrobel, now 20, signed for $1.8 million as part of the Rangers’ 2021 international signing class.
