Freese Named NL Player Of The Week

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Coming into the homestand at Busch last week, David Freese was batting .277. After two series with the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnait Reds, Freese’s average was up 78 points to .355. A week like that deserves a reward, and that is exactly what Freese got when he was honored with the NL Player of the Week award yesterday.

“Right now most guys around the league haven’t seen me and I haven’t seen them. I’m just keeping everything simple. That’s usually a good way to go about it,” Freese said.

In the past seven days, Freese is hitting .462 (12 for 26) and .500 (9 for 18) with runners in scoring position, with three home runs, 11 runs batted in, and has a .932 slugging percentage. He is also riding a six game hitting streak. On the season he is .358/3/19 and trails only Andre Either in hitting and leads all rookies in both average and RBI.

In the past four weeks, David Freese has gone from the eighth spot in the lineup to the fifth spot. The 27-year-old third baseman is on a tear but, to be honest, nobody should be surprised.

Year (Leagues)	AVG	HR	RBI	AB
2006 (A-/A)	.317	13	70	262
2007 (A+)	.302	17	96	503
2008 (AAA)	.361	26	91	464
2009 (RK/AA/AAA)	.380	12	48	277

This. Guy. Can. Hit.

Freese, a ninth round draft pick in 2006, has spent plenty of time in the minors. Not only has he had time in the minors, he has smashed the ball in the past few years. Is he a great defensive third baseman? No, but he’s average. Will he hit .350? No, but I expect .290-.310 at the end of the year. For the first time in four years, it appears as if the Cardinals have an answer at the hot corner.

God knows he’s better than Joe Thurston.