Etiwanda’s Tyler Freeman signs, now what?

Etiwanda’s Tyler Freeman celebrates with a teammate after hitting a solo home run in the first inning against St. John Bosco Tuesday afternoon May 30, 2017 in Rancho Cucamonga. Freeman was named the CIF player of the year. (Will Lester-Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Etiwanda shortstop Tyler Freeman made it official. He signed with the Cleveland Indians on Tuesday, officially declining the scholarship he had to Texas Christian University.

Freeman, 18, was in Cleveland earlier this week and signed his first professional contract before the Indians game against the Texas Rangers.  Several family members were there to help him celebrate.

Then it he caught a flight to Arizona to join the Indians rookie ball team in Goodyear, just outside of Phoenix.

Saturday is an off day for the Indians rookie ball affiliate but Freeman said he plans to stand in so the team’s pitchers can get some extra work and he’ll get the chance to see live pitching which he hasn’t in a few weeks.

He hopes to be in the lineup playing regularly Sunday or Monday.

Freeman, who led the Eagles to the Division 2 CIF championship,  ended up getting the signing bonus of $816,500 which is the slotted amount for where he was drafted – the second round, 71st pick overall.

He had been asking for seven figures but decided the slot value was enough.

He admitted calling his coaches at TCU and telling them he would be turning professional was difficult. But he was anxious to start his professional career.

“I felt bad because I told them what I was asking for and ended up taking less,” he said. “But each day that went on I was more sure it was an opportunity I didn’t want to pass up.”

And Freeman didn’t exactly splurge when landing the lucrative signing bonus. He said there will be no frivolous purchases. He plans on investing in some real estate and banking the rest.

 

 

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Etiwanda’s Tyler Freeman named All-American in baseball

Etiwanda’s Tyler Freeman celebrates with a teammate after hitting a solo home run in the first inning May 30 against St. John Bosco.  Freeman expects to be selected in the first five rounds of the MLB Draft, which begins Monday. (Photo by Will Lester/SCNG)

Another one has been bestowed on Etiwanda senior shortstop Tyler Freeman. Freeman has been named to he ABCA/Rawlings All-American team, one of just 13 players chosen nationwide to the first team.

He hit .526 with 35 runs scored, 36 RBI, eight doubles, four triples, four home runs and 18 stolen bases. His on-base percentage was a robust .638 and his slugging percentage .814 in leading the Eagles (27-3) to their first CIF championship.

His consistency was also impressive, as evidenced by the fact he got at least one hit in 28 of 30 games and recorded multiple hits in 17 games with a best of five coming against Chino Hills in a regulation game. He struck out just six times all season.

Freeman has signed with Texas Christian but was drafted in the second round by the Cleveland Indians earlier this month so he’s weighing the decision of going to college or pursuing professional baseball.

Here is the link to Rawlings release with list of players honored.

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Etiwanda’s Tyler Freeman anxiously awaiting MLB draft

Brothers Tyler Freeman, foreground, and Cody Freeman have played on the same baseball team for most of their lives.

It has already been quite a memorable season for Etiwanda senior shortstop Tyler Freeman.

He spent it playing alongside sophomore brother Cody who started at second base and that was rewarding in itself.

The two helped the Eagles to a 27-3 record and their first ever CIF championship, with that title coming in a very deep and competitive Southern Section Division 2.

In 30 games he hit .526 with 35 runs scored, 36 RBI, 8 doubles, 4 triples and 4 home runs. He already has been named Baseline League most valuable player and more post-season accolades are sure to come.

He was a four-year starter for the Eagles.

The Major League Baseball draft starts on Monday and Freeman’s name is likely to be called so he’ll have that very difficult decision of pursuing professional baseball or going on to Texas Christian, the college with which he has already signed.

You never know exactly where you have been pegged but Freeman said he is hearing he should be taken somewhere between the third and fifth rounds.

He said he has heard from several teams and many organizations have had representatives who have seen him play more than once – the Red Sox, Dodgers, Indians and Mariners among them.

He has thought about that decision and says he has a figure in mind of what it would take for him to pass up college baseball.

“It would really have to be life-changing money,” said Freeman, admittedly a die-hard Dodger fan.

Freeman said come Monday he won’t be anchored to his computer or phone waiting to hear if his name is called.

“I’m just going to do what I normally do. I’ll probably workout in the morning, If it happens, it happens. It definitely is a very exciting time and I can;t wait to see what happens.”

 

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Etiwanda baseball standout Cody Freeman commits to Baylor

Etiwanda infielder Cody Freeman will follow older brother Tyler to Texas but to a different college.

The sophomore second baseman has made a verbal commitment to Baylor.

Tyler, a senior shortstop for the Eagles, committed to Texas Christian his sophomore year.

Having family in the area was a big part of the decision. His paternal grandparents are in Texas, as is an uncle.

“It’s like a second home to me,” he said, “I have always liked it there and I was comfortable with the coaching staff so it was a good fit.”

Freeman also had offers from UNLV and St. Mary’s and was also considering New Mexico.

The thought of joining his brother at TCU didn’t last long. The two schools are in the same conference so he’ll get to play against his sibling.

“They were part if the picture very early on but they fell off my list pretty quickly,” he said. “It will probably feel a little strange playing against him but it will be fun.”

Freeman batted .262 last year starting on the varsity as a freshman. He was second on the team ion runs scored with 24 and boasted a .964 fielding percentage with just four errors in 107 chances.

The brothers have an older sister Hailey who is playing softball a tNCAA  Division I Grand Canyon (Ariz.).

 

 

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Etiwanda’s Tyler Freeman selected to all-star game

Etiwanda High School shortstop Tyler Freeman has been chosen to participate in the Perfect Game All-American game to be held at 5 p.m. on Aug. 14 at Petco Park in San Diego.

The event will be broadcast live by the MLB Network.

“It’s an honor to be chosen and I am very excited,” he said. “It’s one of those things you dream about.”

Freeman, who has committed to Texas Christian, just rounded out his junior year with the Eagles. The repeat first-team All-Inland Valley selection hit .388 (33 for 85) with 29 runs scored, 17 RBIs, 11 doubles, 3 home runs and 13 stolen bases.

Freeman was chosen based on his showing in Perfect Game sponsored events. He plays with the California Baseball Academy.

He competed in a recent showcase in Florida and credits his performance in that for helping land him a spot.

There has been no time off since the spring season ended for Freeman. He has a tryout for the Area Code games tomorrow at USC and will be headed to Arizona for another travel ball event later this month.

“I really haven’t had a day off but that’s OK because I love playing the game,” he said. “You don’t need a day off when you love what you do.”

Here is link to rosters of players chosen for the game.

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Etiwanda’s Tyler Freeman makes prestigious USA 17-under squad

Etiwanda High School’s Tyler Freeman is among the players named to USA Baseball’s 2016 17U National Team Development Program (NTDP).

The team consists of 40 players and 28 alternates and was named after the conclusion of the 17U East and West National Team Championships in Florida and Arizona.

Players will move on to the week-long 2016 17U National Team Development Program to be held in Chicago, Ill., from July 18-22.

The National Team Development Program provides athletes the chance to connect with USA Baseball staff to better prepare for future national team experience. The program includes skill development sessions, off-field education seminars and intrasquad games

Athletes were chosen based on their participation and performance at USA Baseball sanctioned events, including the USA Baseball National Team Championships and the National Team Identification Series (NTIS).

Freeman just rounded out his junior year. The first-team All-Inland Valley selection hit .388 (33 for 85) with 29 runs scored, 17 RBIs, 11 doubles, 3 home runs and 13 stolen bases. He has committed to Texas Christian University.

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Four local baseball standouts earn Cal-Hi Sports honor

Four local baseball players have been to the All-State Underclassmen team by Cal-Hi Sports.

The quartet is led by San Dimas juniors Jacob Castillo and Tommy Acuna. Both were named to the first team with Castillo selected as a pitcher and Acuna named as an infielder.

The duo led San Dimas to a 31-1 record. Castillo, who has committed to San Diego State, was 11-1 with an 0.43 ERA and also hit .341. Meanwhile Acuna, who committed to Arizona just last week, his .529 with 25 RBI.

Two locals also earned second team honors. Sophomore shortstop Tyler Freeman was named in the infield while Ayala junior Matthew Acosta was named in the outfield.

Freeman, who has committed to Texas Christian, hit .398 and scored 27 runs in helping the Eagles to a Baseline League title.

Acosta, who has signed with USC, was the top player for the Bulldogs. He hit .4689 and scored 25 runs.

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Etiwanda baseball player Tyler Freeman commits to TCU

Tyler Freeman

Etiwanda baseball standout Tyler Freeman saw the college he liked and he jumped on the chance to cast his lot with that school.

The Eagles shortstop made a verbal commitment to Texas Christian University today, while on campus for a baseball camp.

He has been familiar with the school since he was young because he has a set of grandparents and an uncle who live near the school.

“I have wanted to go here since the first time I set foot on the campus,” he said. “It just felt like home.”

Freeman is one of the top young players in the area, having competed on the Eagles varsity last year as a freshman and earning second team All-Baseline League honors.

He played in all 25 games and hit. 276.

Freeman said he has been to several other schools unofficially, most notably UC Santa Barbara, UCLA, USC and Indiana. He didn’t feel the need to drag out the recruiting process.

“When I was little I used to tell my dad this is where I wanted to go when I was older,” he said.

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