Major Leaguer resume Vol.90/ WBC Player’s resume Vol.76: Kyle Freeland(Colorado Rockies) : Major Candidate for Team USA: “The Revival if he has a large breaking ball!”

■Today’s player
Today's player is the Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Kyle Freeland. Freeland was born in Denver, Colorado, and will pitch for Team USA in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

■The KAISPO's baseball analyst comments
"Freeland is one of the Rockies' leading starters. For the first three seasons after his debut, most of his pitches were a four-seamer and slider, but since 2020 he has delivered five arsenals relatively balanced. What is worrisome is that his overall ERA is over 4.00. Sharpness, control, and breaking the timing can be critical points for him, as he doesn't have a strong fastball. With expanding movements of his breaking balls and offspeed ball to break the batters' timing, his ERA will improve. So, Freeland is a pitcher with high potential."

■Story
Kyle Freeland was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 35th round of the 2011 MLB draft. But he did not sign and choose to enter the University of Evansville. Three years later, the Rockies selected him with the 8th overall selection in the first round of the 2014 MLB draft, and he entered the professional field this time.

The lefty debuted as Colorado's home opening day starter on April 7, 2017. He pitched solid six innings on four hits and an earned run, striking out six. Freeland secured the Rockies' 2-1 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers to gain his first career win. Also, he had his first career hit in the game. He concludes his first season with 11-11, a 4.10 ERA, and 107 strikeouts in 136 innings across 33 games, including 28 starts.

2018 was his break-out season. The left-hander tossed 202 1/3 frames over 33 starts, picking up the National League(NL) fourth most 17 wins(7 losses) with the NL fifth-best 2.85 ERA to send his team to the postseason. The 2.85 ERA was the best for a Rockies starter since Marvin Freeman recorded a 2.80 ERA in 112 frames in the strike-shortened season of 1994. In addition, Freeland became a Rockies starter with the best ERA in franchise history to pitch at least 162 innings to qualify for the ERA title.

Since then, the 29-year-old has yet to mark the record like the 2019 campaign. But Freeland is an essential piece of the Rockies that has been rebuilding.

■MLB Career Stats
At the end of the 2022 season, Kyle Freeland has logged 49-51 with a 4.27 ERA and 641 strikeouts in 828 2/3 innings over 155 contests with 150 starts in his six big league campaigns.
(MLB No.386  KAISPO No.1566)