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Freeman

Kevin Costner wasn’t available? Freeman had a nice spring and is the center fielder of the future in Colorado. Hopefully Vaughn won’t mess him up.

They had planned on promoting him when Preston Wilson was traded, but he had a torn left hamstring then. Now that he’s healthy, the Rockies would like to evaluate him at a major-league level.

Freeman is hitting .297-10-50 with 58 runs scored and seven stolen bases in 360 ABs for Triple-A Colorado Springs. He likely gets the call over Brad Hawpe so the Rockies can begin looking for their next centerfielder.

Freeman had the decent .297 average in Triple-A, but an outfielder who can only post an 828 OPS at Colorado Springs doesn’t belong in the majors. He’ll have a little fantasy value if he gets at-bats. However, if they’re not going to use Brad Hawpe, the Rockies would be better off playing Jorge Piedra in Preston Wilson’s spot.

Freeman had been just 2-for-11. Sullivan should be right back in center field tomorrow.

Freeman impressed at the very start of camp in his bid to win a reserve job, but his average fell to .160 (4-for-25). If he’s ever going to turn into anything, he’s probably better off playing regularly in Triple-A. The Rockies will choose a fifth outfielder from the group of Jorge Piedra, Cory Sullivan and Reggie Taylor.

Freeman has made himself into a strong contender for a roster spot in Colorado this season.

He doubled twice. The Sky Sox also had Jeff Pickler going 5-for-7. Ryan Shealy had four hits, including a homer and two doubles. Freeman is batting .290/.339/.454 in 72 games, a line that is a slightly down from last year. He might be called up if Preston Wilson is traded, but the Rockies shouldn’t be thinking about playing him regularly.

Even though he’s out of options, Freeman is a long shot to claim a spot on Colorado. He’s someone who should clear waivers unless he has a particularly good spring.

Freeman’s chances of winning a job on the Rockies have increased with the news that Ryan Shealy is returning to Triple-A. He’s batting .395/.439/.684 in 38 at-bats. We suppose anyone on the Rockies automatically has to be considered something of a sleeper, but Freeman probably isn’t going to hit when it counts. He had a 761 OPS in the PCL’s version of Coors Field last year.