Atlanta Braves legend Freddie Freeman played with the Atlanta Braves from 2011 through 2021. He took the reins as Chipper Jones‘ heir apparent when Jones retired after the 2012 season. Freeman was a leader and an MVP for the Atlanta Braves and ended his time with the Braves by leading them to a World Series Championship in 2021.
During Freeman’s time with Atlanta, he finished in the top 10 in MVP voting six times and inside the top 23 seven times. He represented Atlanta in the All-Star game on five different occasions and won the MVP in 2020. Freeman also won three Silver Slugger awards.
Freddie Freeman’s Major-League Debut with Atlanta Braves
Freddie Freeman made his Major-League debut on September 1, 2010, just 12 days before his 21st birthday. He went 0-3 in a 4-1 win over the New York Mets that day.
Freddie Freeman’s First Major-League Hit with Atlanta Braves
Five days after his debut (09/05/2010), Freeman pinch-hit for Peter Moylan in the 9th inning against the Florida Marlins. Freeman’s first hit came in what would become typical Freddie Freeman fashion by lining a 1-0 pitch up the middle off of Clay Hensley.
Atlanta Braves Freddie Freeman Finished 2nd in Rookie of the Year voting in 2011
Young Freddie Freeman logged his first full season with the Atlanta Braves in 2011. He finished the year with 32 doubles, good for 23rd in the National League. He found himself in the company of players like Matt Kemp (33 2B), Chipper Jones (34 2B in just 126 games), and Andrew McCutchen (34 2B). He finished ahead of big names like Ryan Howard (30 2B), Jose Reyes (31 2B), and Raul Ibanez (31 2B).
Freeman finished first among rookies in doubles.
2011 Doubles Leaders Among Rookies
- Freddie Freeman, Atlanta Braves: 32 Doubles
- Mark Trumbo, Los Angeles Angels: 31 Doubles
- Justin Turner, New York Mets: 30 Doubles
- Danny Espinosa, Washington Nationals: 29 Doubles
- Eric Hosmer, Kansas City Royals: 27 Doubles
Freeman finished the 2011 season with the most homers by a rookie in the National League. Freddie finished third in homers among all major-league rookies. His 21 homers were topped only by J.P. Arencibia‘s 23 home runs and Mark Trumbo’s 29 home runs.
Freeman finished first among rookies in the NL in RBI with 76.
In all, Freeman had a fantastic rookie year with the Atlanta Braves in 2011. Among National League rookies, Freeman finished first doubles, homers, and RBI. He slashed .282/.346/.448 in a phenomenal rookie campaign.
Freddie Freeman Atlanta Braves Notes
- 22.4% K-rate is second-highest of his career. Since 2020, Freeman is in the 14%-16% range.
- Freeman showed off his trademark swing out of the gates. In his rookie season he had a stellar 23% line-drive rate. Freeman’s propensity to spray line drives all over the field has led to elite average and doubles numbers.
- Freeman had a 20-game hit streak in August of 2011.
- Freddie Freeman won NL Rookie of the Month in July, hitting .362 for the month.
Who Beat Freddie Freeman for 2011 NL Rookie of the Year?
As good as Freddie Freeman was in 2011, he was bested by his teammate Craig Kimbrel. The Braves rookie closer was the unanimous selection for Rookie of the Year. To beat the season Freeman posted, Kimbrel had to be legendary, and he was.
Kimbrel finished with a 2.10 ERA in 79 games. Opposing batters hit just .178 off the young fireballer. As a rookie, he finished tied for the National League lead in saves with 46. Kimbrel also set the record for most saves by a first-year pitcher.
How did the Atlanta Braves do in Freddie Freeman’s Rookie Season?
The Atlanta Braves finished the 2011 season with an 89-73 record under Manager Fredi Gonzalez. They were second in the NL East. Freddie Freeman’s first season was Chipper Jones’ second-to-last.
Freddie Freeman finished third on the team in homers behind Brian McCann (24 HR) and Dan Uggla (36 HR).
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