Cleveland Indians sign 2nd-round MLB Draft pick Tyler Freeman
After selecting high school standout Tyler Freeman in the second-round of the 2017 MLB Draft, the Cleveland Indians signed the shortstop to a contract.
The Indians signed supplemental second-round MLB Draft pick (71st overall) Tyler Freeman to the slotted pick price of $816,500, according to MLB.com writer Jim Callis.
Freeman was at Progressive Field June 28 before the Indians’ series finale against the Texas Rangers.
The Indians really liked Freeman leading up to the draft, but they reportedly drafted him even though getting him signed was no guarantee.
Freeman had committed to Texas Christian University, and a lot of teams had him pegged to go to college, which may have been why he slipped all the way down to 71. The Indians reportedly called Freeman twice to try and work out a tentative signing bonus, but both times Freeman declined. Cleveland went ahead and picked him anyway, and now they’ve got him in the organization.
Supp 2nd-rder Tyler Freeman inks w/@Indians, $816,500 (pick 71 value). Cali HS SS, solid bat & speed, could be offensive-minded 2B @MLBDraft
— Jim Callis (@jimcallisMLB) June 28, 2017
Freeman, 18, will likely begin his career with Mahoning Valley, like Lindor did when he was drafted as a 17-year-old out of high school.
It’s been written on various blogs that Freeman may switch to second base. Knowing the Indians, a team that values versatility, Freeman will be able to do both.
When could we see Freeman in a big-league uniform? If everything goes according to plan, perhaps 2021 or 2022, which is interesting, because that’s the season Lindor becomes a free agent.
While visiting the field, Freeman, a shortstop by trade, got his picture taken with current Tribe superstar Francisco Lindor.
New Indians draft pick SS Tyler Freeman and Frankie Lindor. Photo h/t @CBABaseballUSA pic.twitter.com/rf6YMOX2rV
— Factory of Sadness (@FanSidedFoS) June 28, 2017
One can’t help look t the image and wonder what the future holds for Freeman, and Lindor, for that matter.
Everybody, their mother and their grandmother wants Lindor to stay an Indian for the next decade, but don’t forget those rumors from Spring Training that Lindor declined a $100 million contract extension. Financially, will the Indians be able to keep a star such as Lindor if keeps on his superstar trajectory? Hopefully, but time will tell.
Freeman entered the 2017 MLB Draft ranked 141 on MLB.com’s Top 200 prospect list.
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As a senior at Etiwanda High School in California, , the 6-foot, 170-pounder batted .526 with 35 runs, 36 RBIs, eight doubles, four triples and four home runs.