Tyler Freeman Outfield Experiment Working Well For Guardians

Tyler Freeman is running away with the Cleveland Guardians' center field job.

The Cleveland Guardians’ outfield was a massive question mark heading into the season. Would Myles Straw live up to his contract extension? Maybe newcomer Estevan Florial would take advantage of his opportunity with a new club and establish himself out there. Or perhaps one of the young outfield prospects would force the Guardians to make a tough roster decision.

However, Cleveland’s hope in centerfield didn’t come from any of these options. It’s been one of their former top infield prospects, Tyler Freeman who's playing the position for the first time in his baseball career.

The possibility of Freeman playing the outfield started in the offseason when fans learned he was working on it with outfield coach J.T. Maguire at the Arizona complex. Then Tyler got some time in center field during Spring Training and he showed a lot of potential. Flashforward to Opening Day and he was starting in center in Stephen Vogt's lineup.

Freeman has played in four games in this new MLB season and all of them have been in the outfield. So far, there’s no reason to move him anywhere else on the diamond. Tyler has been given this unique opportunity and is running away with the everyday center field job. 

Freeman has caught everything hit his way and shut down any questions about his arm strength with an impressive outfield assist against the Seattle Mariners on Monday night. J.P. Crawford hit a towering fly ball which Freeman collected with no issue. Ty France decided to test the novice center fielder’s arm but Freeman threw a gorgeous ball right to Bo Naylor who tagged the runner out at home plate. 

Mar 28, 2024; Oakland, California, USA; Cleveland Guardians center fielder Tyler Freeman (2) makes a running catch of a line drive off the bat of Oakland Athletics left fielder Seth Brown during the seventh inning at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-USA TODAY Sports

D. Ross Cameron-USA TODAY Sports

"I heard [Ramon Laureano] yelling 'four, four, four' so I was just trying to throw him out at home. Bo did his job deking the runner and I guess the throw was good. [It] was pretty sweet since it was the first one,” said Freeman after the game.

The reason the Guardians felt comfortable giving a Freeman a chance in a position he’s never played before is because of his offense and he hasn’t disappointed at the plate either. Freeman has already record three RBI and a home run through the first handful of games. 

What was one an unknown for the Guardians has turned into one of the best stories during the first few games. It’s been a long time since Cleveland has gotten this type of production from a center fielder and fans should be excited about it.