2010 MLB Sleeper Player Profile: David Freese, 3B Cardinals

Written By Todd Farino, http://www.fantasybaseballsearch.com/

• Player: David Freese
• Team: St. Louis Cardinals
• Bats: Right
• Position: 3B

Fantasy Baseball Search Sleeper Rank: 10/30

David Freese is one of the intriguing rookies entering the season.  He has a history of power and hitting for average.  He's also likely to be the starting 3B in a very good St. Louis Cardinal lineup.  Freese posses the ability to hit 25 home runs and bat .300+ and that makes him a tantalizing sleeper for 2010.

Freese came up last year and in 31 at bats scored 10 hits, a home run, and 7 RBI.  I think that was a small sample of what to expect from the 27 year old third basemen this year.  The Cardinals know what they have and Freese isn't your typical rookie.  He is fully developed and ready to enter the big leagues in his prime.  There are two issues that he will have to work through this season and you have to expect it.  First, he is a rookie and he will have issues adjusting to major league pitching, but those slumps should be short.  The other is he has the tendency to strikeout allot.  However, throughout the minors he averaged one strikeout per five at bats. That isn't bad overall, but it could be a problem for him if not watched and corrected by his coaches.

Expect Freese to make a run at rookie of the year.  Consider him a slightly smaller Chris Davis, only hits better, strikeouts less, and has better hair. As long as he doesn't get into any prolonged slumps and plays the full season, Freese will hit 25 home runs and clear 80 RBIs.  He has the capability to hit over .315, but will likely finish ed a sub-.300 average.

2010 Projections: .297 BA, 25 Hrs, 81 RBI, 70 Runs, 1 SB 

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