Freddie Freeman was the National League’s leading hitter for much of the first half, which is part of why he was voted the starting first baseman at the MLB All-Star Game in Atlanta.
Even Freeman’s offensive output has cratered over the past month, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts does not seem concerned by his first baseman’s recent struggles.
Freeman still sits tied for eighth in the majors in batting average (.297) and is slashing .297/.365/.476 with 10 home runs this year.
How Does Dave Roberts Feel About Freddie Freeman’s Recent Struggles?
It was just six weeks ago that Freeman was challenging New York Yankees superstar Aaron Judge for the MLB batting title, since the Dodgers first baseman peaked at .374 after their 18-2 beatdown of the Bombers at Dodger Stadium on May 31.
But Los Angeles has played more like a .500 team over that span, and Freeman’s offensive struggles have played a part. He is just 31 for his past 146 (.212) with only one home run and has an OPS of just .576 over 38 games.
Still, Roberts believes Freeman will turn it around.
âI mean, it doesnât feel good for anyone, but heâs just too good of a hitter, competes too well, prepares too well, that it will turn,â Roberts said, according to Dodgers Nation. âSo itâs not something where I feel that thereâs markers that heâs not going to come out of it.
“Iâm not too concerned. It doesnât feel great right now but not overly concerned.â
Why Is Freddie Freeman Struggling?
Perhaps the most alarming factor in Freeman’s game is his shockingly low walk-rate, since he has just 33 base on balls this year. His current on-base percentage is tied for 29th in the majors but far below his .386 career mark.
In his month-plus-long slump Freeman has only 13 walks and 43 strikeouts over his past 38 games, which is what Roberts thinks is proliferating his struggles at the plate.
âI think the swing-and-miss. I think the chase,â Roberts said.
Freeman is just nine months removed from winning World Series MVP in the Dodgers’ five-game series win over the Yankees, so it’s hard to imagine his age is suddenly becoming a factor — especially after his white-hot start where he was was running neck-and-neck with teammate Will Smith for the batting lead and was among the major-league leaders in OPS (1.074) through 58 games.
But Freeman entered the All-Star break on a modest 3 for 9 streak over the Dodgers’ final two games. Plus, he drove in a pair of runs — his first RBIs in 10 days and sixth RBIs in 11 games in July — including the go-ahead single in the 11th inning of LA’s series-clinching, 5-2 win over the rival San Francisco Giants in its final game before the break.
Roberts hopes his signs of life are proof he is snapping out of his slump.
âI think that when thereâs balls in the hitting zone, kind of not squaring it up the way he usually does â those are things that are signs that heâs just not right,” Roberts said. “We all know that. We see it. But heâs just too good of a player not to come out of it.”
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