Choo Freeman Named to All-Decade Squad
Former #1 Prospect head and shoulders above the pack; Vote for starting right fielder at [email protected]
One of the most exciting centerfielders to ever call Colorado Springs his home, SkySox.com is proud to select Choo Freeman to "Colorado Springs' Team of the Decade," starting centerfielder!
Selected in the first round (36th overall) of the 1998 June draft, the Dallas Christian High School phenom signed on with the Rockies for a staggering $1.4 million bonus (As a point of reference, Freeman's bonus was equivalent to that of 2009 17th overall pick, A.J. Pollack).
The young star debuted for the Arizona League Rockies late in '98, demonstrating his prowess and elite athletic ability. Stealing 14 bases in only 147 at-bats, he posted a .320 batting average - an excellent showing for the prospect's taste of professional ball. Scouts across the country took note of the centerfielder, as Freeman debuted among MLB's top prospects in the pre-season of 1999 - ranked 75th overall and first in the Rockies' system.
Progressing slowly, but surely, through the Rox' system from 1999 to 2002, Freeman arrived in Colorado Springs in the spring of 2003. Looking to add stability to a position that had been a revolving door in recent seasons, Freeman became the seventh Opening Day starting centerfielder in as many years.
Though shaky at the outset, Freeman found himself in early May, shaking off a rough start that saw the star prospect begin the season just 4-for-28. Though he finished the season on a positive note, his rough April sank what was a positive year for the most part - dragging his batting average down to a somewhat disappointing .254. Still, he managed to launch seven homers in 327 at-bats.
With an encouraging post-April rebound, particularly a 17-for-39 (.436) stretch in early May, Freeman showed plenty of progress for Denver to dream on. As a result, the big club let Freeman develop further with a second taste of Triple-A, assigning him there for a repeat trial in 2004.
The '04 season was, in many ways, the breakout for which the Rockies' brass had long hoped. Through 103 Triple-A matches prior to a September call-up, Freeman showed flashes of brilliance that had made scouts salivate for years. Hitting 10 home runs in 360 at-bats, the centerfielder solved Triple-A pitching for good, posting a .297 batting average - his best since a blistering 1998 debut - while also registering the highest slugging percentage of his career, .478.
The main catalyst for the PCL-leading offense, the centerfielder was perhaps the most explosive player on the Sky Sox most talented lineup in years - one that featured seven team of the decade candidates in Andy Tracy, Brad Hawpe, Clint Barmes, Jorge Piedra, Garrett Atkins, JD Closser, and Rene Reyes. Narrowly missing the cycle on five occasions, Freeman also batted in four runners in three separate games, while homering twice on June 26. Enamored with his performance, the Denver brass summoned Freeman to the big club in late August, where he would finish the remainder of the season.
Returned to the Springs to begin 2005, Freeman again showed off his impressive talent. With his batting average peaking at .340 in mid-May, the outfielder seemed to get stronger as the season progressed. Registering one of the greatest single-game performances in Sky Sox history, on June 28, Freeman became the quickest Sky Sox player to reach the cycle in a game (seventh inning), while collecting five hits, a home run, five runs scored, and tying for the third-highest RBI total in a single game - seven, behind only Alan Cockrell (nine) and Harvey Pulliam (eight).
Once again the primary stimulus for one of the PCL's best offenses, Freeman was called-up in September and given a second trial against big league pitching. Acquitting himself well in the brief repeat session, Freeman hit .273 in 22 at-bats, scoring six runs and slugging .409.
On the strength of his late 2005 tryout, the Rockies added Freeman to the 25-man roster at the onset of the 2006 season. Unfortunately, however, Freeman struggled mightily, batting just .237 in 173 at-bats. Not willing to continue investing time in his development, the Rockies removed Freeman from the 40-man roster in January, 2007 to be picked up by the Dodgers that February.
Sparking the Sky Sox offense while thrilling the Springs' fans for three seasons, SkySox.com is proud to select Choo Freeman to "Colorado Springs' Team of the Decade," starting centerfielder.
--Stats --
Choo Freeman Quick Facts:
Debut at Security Service Field
This Date in History, April 3
Baseball Births, October 20
Sky Sox Career Highlights
Sky Sox Single-Game Records
Rockies Top Prospect List
Career Major League Statistics
Once again, congratulations to Choo Freeman, starting center fielder for "Colorado Springs' Team of the Decade!"
Thanks again to all of our fans, we couldn't have done it without you!
And, make sure to check in next Tuesday as we announce our starting right fielder!
Countdown to the Home Opener: 34 Days!
Selected in the first round (36th overall) of the 1998 June draft, the Dallas Christian High School phenom signed on with the Rockies for a staggering $1.4 million bonus (As a point of reference, Freeman's bonus was equivalent to that of 2009 17th overall pick, A.J. Pollack).
The young star debuted for the Arizona League Rockies late in '98, demonstrating his prowess and elite athletic ability. Stealing 14 bases in only 147 at-bats, he posted a .320 batting average - an excellent showing for the prospect's taste of professional ball. Scouts across the country took note of the centerfielder, as Freeman debuted among MLB's top prospects in the pre-season of 1999 - ranked 75th overall and first in the Rockies' system.
Progressing slowly, but surely, through the Rox' system from 1999 to 2002, Freeman arrived in Colorado Springs in the spring of 2003. Looking to add stability to a position that had been a revolving door in recent seasons, Freeman became the seventh Opening Day starting centerfielder in as many years.
Though shaky at the outset, Freeman found himself in early May, shaking off a rough start that saw the star prospect begin the season just 4-for-28. Though he finished the season on a positive note, his rough April sank what was a positive year for the most part - dragging his batting average down to a somewhat disappointing .254. Still, he managed to launch seven homers in 327 at-bats.
With an encouraging post-April rebound, particularly a 17-for-39 (.436) stretch in early May, Freeman showed plenty of progress for Denver to dream on. As a result, the big club let Freeman develop further with a second taste of Triple-A, assigning him there for a repeat trial in 2004.
The '04 season was, in many ways, the breakout for which the Rockies' brass had long hoped. Through 103 Triple-A matches prior to a September call-up, Freeman showed flashes of brilliance that had made scouts salivate for years. Hitting 10 home runs in 360 at-bats, the centerfielder solved Triple-A pitching for good, posting a .297 batting average - his best since a blistering 1998 debut - while also registering the highest slugging percentage of his career, .478.
The main catalyst for the PCL-leading offense, the centerfielder was perhaps the most explosive player on the Sky Sox most talented lineup in years - one that featured seven team of the decade candidates in Andy Tracy, Brad Hawpe, Clint Barmes, Jorge Piedra, Garrett Atkins, JD Closser, and Rene Reyes. Narrowly missing the cycle on five occasions, Freeman also batted in four runners in three separate games, while homering twice on June 26. Enamored with his performance, the Denver brass summoned Freeman to the big club in late August, where he would finish the remainder of the season.
Returned to the Springs to begin 2005, Freeman again showed off his impressive talent. With his batting average peaking at .340 in mid-May, the outfielder seemed to get stronger as the season progressed. Registering one of the greatest single-game performances in Sky Sox history, on June 28, Freeman became the quickest Sky Sox player to reach the cycle in a game (seventh inning), while collecting five hits, a home run, five runs scored, and tying for the third-highest RBI total in a single game - seven, behind only Alan Cockrell (nine) and Harvey Pulliam (eight).
Once again the primary stimulus for one of the PCL's best offenses, Freeman was called-up in September and given a second trial against big league pitching. Acquitting himself well in the brief repeat session, Freeman hit .273 in 22 at-bats, scoring six runs and slugging .409.
On the strength of his late 2005 tryout, the Rockies added Freeman to the 25-man roster at the onset of the 2006 season. Unfortunately, however, Freeman struggled mightily, batting just .237 in 173 at-bats. Not willing to continue investing time in his development, the Rockies removed Freeman from the 40-man roster in January, 2007 to be picked up by the Dodgers that February.
Sparking the Sky Sox offense while thrilling the Springs' fans for three seasons, SkySox.com is proud to select Choo Freeman to "Colorado Springs' Team of the Decade," starting centerfielder.
--Stats --
Choo Freeman Quick Facts:
Debut at Security Service Field
- April 3, 2003 v. Oklahoma; 1-for-2, R, RBI, BB
This Date in History, April 3
- April 3, 1917: Vladimir Ilyich Lenin returns from exile to Russia where he leads the Bolsheviks in the Russian Revolution.
- April 3, 1969: The Nixon Administration announces that it will begin to "Vietnamize" the war effort, building up the strength of the South Vietnamese military while tactically withdrawing American troops.
- April 3, 1974: The Super Outbreak begins, marking the largest single-day tornado outbreak in recorded history. 148 tornadoes are spotted across 13 states, killing 315 and injuring another 5,500.
- April 3, 2002: A verdict is reached in the United States v. Microsoft case, with Microsoft Corporation found guilty of violating U.S. antitrust laws.
Baseball Births, October 20
- October 20, 1931 - Mickey Mantle, Outfield; Hall of Fame inductee, 1974; 16-time All-Star selection, 500 Home Run Club
- October 20, 1937 - Juan Marichal, Starting Pitcher; Hall of Fame inductee, 1983; 9-time All-Star selection
- October 20, 1953: Keith Hernandez, First Base; 5-time All-Star, 11-time Gold Glove Award winner
- October 20, 1969 - Juan Gonzalez, Outfield; 3-time All-Star selection
- October 20, 1979 - Choo Freeman, Outfield
Sky Sox Career Highlights
Sky Sox Single-Game Records
- T-1st - Hits at Security Service Field, 5; June 28, 2005
- Fastest to Cycle - 7 innings; June 28, 2005
- 1st - Triples, 2004 (7)
- 6th - Triples (17)
- T-7th - HBP (15)
- 9th - Strikeouts (233)
Rockies Top Prospect List
- 1999 - Colorado #1; MLB #75
- 2000 - Colorado #1; MLB #42
- 2001 - Colorado #3
- 2003 - Colorado #5
Career Major League Statistics
- Games - 151
- At-Bats - 285
- Batting Average - .225 (64-for-285)
- Home Runs - 3
- Runs - 45
- RBI - 29
- Stolen Bases - 6
- OPS - .629
Once again, congratulations to Choo Freeman, starting center fielder for "Colorado Springs' Team of the Decade!"
Thanks again to all of our fans, we couldn't have done it without you!
And, make sure to check in next Tuesday as we announce our starting right fielder!
Countdown to the Home Opener: 34 Days!