Freeman enjoys extremely productive month of May
LOS ANGELES » Freddie Freeman extended his hitting streak to 18 games with a double on Monday against the Washington Nationals. It was his 17th double this month, breaking a 93-year-old franchise record. The Dodgers first baseman has reached base in every game this month, and seen his batting average rise from .292 on May 1 to .333.
Freeman's breakout has put his 2023 stats (.409 onbase percentage, .571 slugging percentage) ahead of his 2022 production (.325 batting average, .407 OBP, .511 slugging), when he finished fourth in National League MVP voting.
The Orange County native is also in position to become the first Dodger to capture a player of the month award since Cody Bellinger in April 2019.
Just don't tell his manager he's on a hot streak.
“What's interesting with Freddie is, he's just as consistent a player on both sides of the ball that I've ever seen,” Dave Roberts said. “To be honest, I can't tell when he's on a hot streak. When he's struggling and not getting hits, it's the same to me. The atbat quality, the quality of contact, is similar. That's a really good tell.”
It also bodes well as an example to Freeman's younger teammates. Roberts specifically cited rookie outfielder James Outman, whose May fortunes have taken an opposite turn. Outman ended an 0-for-20 streak with a single Monday; he later hit a sacrifice fly to drive in the go-ahead run against the Washington Nationals.
Although they sit on opposite sides of the Dodgers clubhouse at home, the hope is that Freeman's influence can rub off on Outman.
“He's really stubborn with his process,” Outman said of Freeman. “He knows what works for him. I think having as much time in the show, you can really learn yourself. He's learned himself better than anyone I know.”
Outman said he doesn't try to emulate Freeman's approach at the plate. Freeman can practically claim a patent on line drives to the left-center field gap, a rare type of hit for most left-handed hitters, but one Freeman appears to produce with ease.
For his part, Outman tries to hit line drives to the middle of the field, rather than muscle up to the pull side or “manipulate the ball” to the opposite field.
Regardless of his results, Freeman is a model of consistency in terms of his preparation.
“He never deviates,” Roberts added. “It's nice when one of your best players lives it on the day to day.”
The previous franchise record for doubles in a month belonged to Babe Herman, who hit 16 in July 1930 for the Brooklyn Dodgers.
Freeman's longest career hitting streak was a 30-game run in August and September 2016. Memorial Day memories
Before the game, Roberts answered questions from a group of active Marines about leadership in the postgame interview room at Dodger Stadium. He also signed autographs for the group.
Roberts said he broke down when speaking about his father, Waymon, who served in the Marines for 35 years.
“We were talking about Memorial Day, service, the freedoms we have and why,” Roberts said. “My father is a big part of that.” Also
Max Muncy was held out of the lineup one day after he suffered a strained hamstring in the Dodgers' series finale in Tampa Bay. He did not undergo an MRI, and Roberts said Muncy will be back in the starting lineup today. … Chris Taylor started at third base in Muncy's place. … Pitchers Michael Grove (groin) and Daniel Hudson (knee) rejoined the team to throw bullpen sessions in front of Dodger personnel in Los Angeles. … The Dodgers have not decided if or when Grove will rejoin the starting rotation, since they have two scheduled off days (Thursday and Monday) in the next week.