Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman spoke with reporters Friday, covering several topics about his team’s 9-5 start through the first two weeks of the season.
On his own start (Freeman is hitting .217):
“Physically, I feel really good. At the plate, it’s a different story. I think we all can tell it’s been a whirlwind. I don’t feel that great at the plate, but (Thursday) was a bit of a step in the right direction for me (with a home run). There’s still some indecision at the plate. I’m taking some fastballs I don’t normally take. I’m fouling off pitches I normally hit when I’m feeling pretty good. I’m working hard, working every day, so hopefully I build off (Thursday). I guess that (four-hit) Rays game was a bit of a fluke for me. Hopefully Thursday’s game can start the real hot streak here.”
On outfielder Nick Markakis hitting a walk-off homer in his return:
“It’s amazing what Nick can do. He can hit. It’s amazing. I saw Snit’s (manager Brian Snitker) comments (about Markakis likely still hitting when he’s 50). That’s absolutely true. Matt Kemp texted me today saying, ‘Man, that guy can just roll out of bed and hit.’ It’s amazing. When you work as hard as he does, and how consistent he’s been over his entire career, I don’t think any of what he did last night surprised anybody. He even lined out with a 102 mph exit velocity to the center-field wall. We knew he was close after striking out with a guy at third. He wanted that at-bat. He came through. He’s an amazing hitter, and I’m glad he’s back.”
On Touki Toussaint’s impressive start Thursday:
“When you look at his stat line, three runs given up, that does not tell the story. He was absolutely incredible. He was throwing – I was talking to (Josh) Tomlin on the bus over here – he was throwing darts. Every pitch had an intent, a purpose. When you have a purpose to every pitch, every pitch goes into that hitter’s head. When you’re throwing non-competitive pitches out of the zone, it’s just a waste pitch. As hitters, we don’t really think about that. You could tell early on, he was like 45 pitches through five innings. He had his good stuff. Even his last start, when he went four innings, you could tell something was clicking right for him. We were talking about how young guys needed to step up with Mike (Soroka) going down. The last three starts have been pretty phenomenal for us.”
On shortstop Dansby Swanson’s hot start:
“Dansby has gotten off to great starts the last couple years. He got hurt last year with the heel. None of this is a surprise. He came in stronger, more mentally prepared. He’s just hitting the ball so much harder, with authority, to the right side of the field. He’s covering all the plate right now. Putting up great at-bats. With Ozzie (Albies) going down, he was the perfect guy to go into that 2-hole. He works the counts, he’s hitting the ball hard, he’s having great at-bats and he’s off to a great start.”
On slugger Marcell Ozuna’s impact so far:
“We haven’t skipped a beat with losing Josh (Donaldson) with Marcell in there. He’s been a huge addition for us. Not only on the field, but off the field. A lot of the Latin guys are taking to him, and he’s having so much fun. He’s bringing music into the clubhouse, music on the bus. It was 3 a.m. when we got to Philly and the boombox was still going. We’re having a lot of fun, just like we were last year, and I think that’s why we’re winning. He brings more to the table than what he’s doing on the baseball field right now. He hits the ball so hard, it seems like. He hits the ball and I look up and think, ‘Man, that must be 120 mph.’ Then it’s 111, 107, 104; every ball he seems to be barreling right now. He’s a threat in our lineup and man, it’s a pleasure to have him on our team.”
On how valuable Tomlin has been since joining the team:
“When you have someone who comes in and just throws strikes, those young guys – Tomlin is OK with giving up the solo homer. The solo home run is not going to beat you. When you walk a guy, walk two guys, next thing you know you’re at 24 pitches in one inning to start off the game. That’s when things can go haywire. Josh just comes in and throws strikes. He’s sitting in that bullpen, sitting in the clubhouse, sitting on buses with people (explaining that) the solo home run won’t beat you, the walks will. The last few starts with some of these young guys, I feel like it’s just Josh Tomlin. Josh seems to come in after these guys, they’re sitting in the clubhouse watching the game after they come out, and he’s just throwing strike after strike after strike, and he’s having so much success doing it, that I think these young guys are really learning that it’s OK to give up the home run. That’s not going to beat you. It’s the three-run home runs that will beat you. Josh has been absolutely incredible for this staff. He’s wearing off on a lot of people in a lot of good ways.”
On the traveling conditions under health and safety protocols:
“It’s not that challenging if you just take a step back and realize it’s two months. Stay in your room for two months. It’s not that challenging. I didn’t leave my room until I got on the bus and I called (assistant medical coordinator) Jeff Stevenson and said, ‘Hey, I’m going to go get my coffee.’ You have to let people know when you’re going to leave the hotel. We have two security officers in our lobby to make sure you’re following the rules and doing all that. I just let him know I was leaving to get my coffee and get on the bus. For me, it’s not really challenging if you wear your mask and stay in your room. I think we have a pretty good group. They seem to be following the rules really well. All the protocols are in place to keep us safe. I think if you follow them, everything is going to go well.
“It wasn’t challenging for us on our first travel day since (the multiple outbreaks). We’ll see about the off day in Miami (next week) and if the guys can stay in their hotel rooms. That’s going to be the big one. I think we have a good group that really knows the seriousness of this virus. I think everybody is taking it seriously over here.”
