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BP Annual Player Comments

Year		Comment
2010		Ryan Freel is the last refuge of the incompetent.
2009		Traded to the Orioles for Ramon Hernandez; it looks like the Reds might have sold at the right time on Freel. The utilityman's vaunted flexibility doesn't count for much if he's always on the DL, and repeated leg injuries, such as the hamstring tendon tear that ended his season, have decimated his speed. He'll bring the Orioles his one remaining tool, the ability to get on base at a decent clip, albeit in a punchless sort of way.
2008		At the end of May, Freel got his bell rung in a full-tilt outfield collision with Norris Hopper and suffered what Freel cheerfully claims was the "eighth or ninth" concussion of his career. It's injuries like this, caused by Freel's hard-charging style of play, that everyone believes will be the end of him. However, it was the innocuous-sounding "loose cartilage" in Freel's right knee that required surgery and actually ended his 2007 season. Freel's game depends on his wheels, and he's already at a dangerous age for a speed player. Much of his value is gone if he's left his explosive first step on the operating table.
2007		Freel`s a good example of the difference between an athletic player who can actually handle a variety of positions and your more standard-issue ex-second baseman who plays elsewhere to survive. Unlike a lot of minor league journeymen who wind up in a major league utility role, Freel`s a good outfielder as well as a decent enough second or third baseman, he gets on base regularly, and runs well when he does. Floating between four or five spots around the lineup, his real position is utility leadoff man.
2006		After hustling his way into regular status in 2004, Freel was jobbed twice in the offseason. First, the Reds inexplicably traded for Tony Womack, then they re-signed the obstreperous Rich Aurilia. With good range and hands in the outfield and the ability to play center as well as second and third, Freel will likely be the Reds supersub until they come to their senses. A good runner who makes the most of his speed, Freel is too aggressive on the basepaths. In stealing bases, he`d be better off picking his spots a little less frequently.
2005		You'd expect a light-hitting backup who'd never started more than a few games at a time to get exposed when thrust into prolonged regular duty. Not so for Freel, who nearly doubled his walk rate while showing a decent glove and good speed in soaking up playing lost by Brandon Larson, Ken Griffey Jr. and Austin Kearns. With Joe Randa in the fold, Freel will go back to utility duty; this team will have better depth than it's had in a while.
2004		Freel, a shortstop prospect for the Blue Jays in the late 1990s, finally reached the majors having recast himself as a utility man. His playing time had more to with the Reds' injuries than his ability, but as a guy who can run a little and play five or six positions, he has value. Dave Miley, who had him at Louisville, should be able to help Freel from the manager's seat.
2001		Ryan Freel is an ex-prospect who has made himself into a good utility player. He can hit for average, take walks, and he runs very well. Freel handled five positions in the minors last season, and a guy who can play anywhere gives a team advantages both in-game and in-season. He deserves a clean shot at a job.
2000		Freel was on his way to a September call-up when he injured his rotator cuff in May. He doesn’t do any one thing very well; what he does is play both the infield and the outfield, get on base and run a little. Assuming he’s healthy in March, he’s the player with whom the Jays should fill Jacob Brumfield’s roster spot.
1999		Working towards becoming a super-sub, Freel is already known for his diving, athletic play in the field. Between his ability to get on base and his roving from position to position, he's looking like the new Lance Blankenship. Like Blankenship, he's best suited to play second base or the outfield. Like Blankenship, he can be a very handy guy to have around.
1998		Freel was fantastic in his second year at Dunedin, scorching the league with a terrific walk rate and OBP. Bumped to Knoxville at midseason, he didn’t hit at all. As with Evans, Freel is a player whose plate discipline may make him a better bet than a comparable player without that skill. His defense is suspect. At the least, he could be a very good bench player.

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