Look at Freddie Freeman’s offensive numbers now and, except for a higher strikeout rate, they look about on par with what the Braves slugger has done throughout his seven-year career.
It’s the way Freeman’s gotten to this point that’s odd.
Usually a steady hitter from April through October, Freeman has had drastic peaks and valleys this season. He’s on a peak now and said he’s looking to be more constant at the plate for the rest of the season.
“I have to say it’s been on odd season so far,” Freeman said Tuesday before the Braves opened a two-game series against the Marlins. “Obviously I got off to a horrible start, then I picked it back up, and then went spiraling back down again. I’m coming back up again right now.
“Usually I’m more of a consistent guy. Hopefully the next three-and-a-half months I’ll be more of a consistent player.”
Freeman’s most recent surge prompted Major League Baseball to name him the NL Player of the week. In seven games through Sunday Freeman was 17-for-31 (.548) with three home runs, six other extra-base hits and eight RBIs. Against the Reds on Wednesday Freeman became the first Braves player since 2008 to hit for the cycle (single, double, triple, home run).
The hot streak came after Freeman went 1-for-11 with a walk in a three-game series against the Cubs. That capped a 25-game stretch in which he hit .183 with a .271 on-base percentage and .323 slugging percentage.
After all of the ups and downs, Freeman entered Tuesday hitting .279 with a .365 on-base percentage and .492 slugging percentage. His career numbers were 284/.366/.468.
“I’m not ever worried about it,” Freeman said. “I know if I keep going up there and grinding out at-bats, I’m going to get back to normal again. I’m almost there. But I’ve got a lot of work to do. We are starting to win some games, that’s the most important thing.”
