Cody Snavely
Up next on our position previews for DodgersBeat is first base, an area that has been solid for the Dodgers in recent memory thanks to the wonderful addition in 2022 of one Freddie Freeman.
Unlike other positions in years past, the Dodgers are positioned well with Freeman, someone you can pencil in almost every day at the top of the order.
However, while Freeman does provide stability at first, what are our expectations for the All-Star heading into 2024?
2023 campaign at a glance
The 2023 season for Freeman was one of the best full seasons of his fourteen-year career.
Freeman, who finished third in the NL MVP race behind Mookie Betts and Ronald Acuna Jr., had a slash line of .331/.410/.567 with 29 homers, 102 RBIs, 161 OPS+, and an MLB-leading 59 doubles.
Speaking of those doubles, Freeman was four away from the most 2B hits in MLB history and hit the most since 2000, where Todd Helton also had 59.
While Betts’s hot second half stole the show in Dodger Town, Freeman was the Dodgers’ most consistent hitter for the regular season.
The duo of Betts and Freeman atop the Dodgers’ order was historically good, which led to both receiving All-MLB First Team honors.
Freeman, who is now entering his age 34 season, has only improved with age, continuing to be a force in the Dodgers’ All-Star level lineup.
However, entering 2024, the 7x All-Star and 2020 NL MVP will have a new group of hitters around him, including two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani. Which begs the question, where does Freeman bat in the revamped Dodgers team?
2024 could be a massive year for Freeman statistically
Over the Winter, the Los Angeles Dodgers revamped most of the roster, adding talent on the pitching and hitting sides.
In 2023, the Dodgers as a team scored the most runs in team history with 906, which was up there with the Braves as one of the best offensive units in the sport.
Now insert Ohtnai, Teoscar Hernández, and others, and the sky is the limit for Freeman, who is expected to slide down to the three-hole in the lineup.
Last week, the Dodgers showcased their likely lineup for Opening Day: Betts, Ohtani, Freeman.
In terms of production in the three-hole, Freeman, throughout his career, has posted a .906 OPS.
Freeman, who will have two MVP favorites batting ahead of him and multiple All-Star candidates behind him, could set career highs in RBI and other offensive categories.
On the defensive side, expect more of the same from Freeman, who, throughout his career, has been a plus defender on the right side of the infield.
However, where Freeman remains underrated is his baserunning, as he is statistically one of the smarter baserunners in the sport. Funny enough, Freeman was also the Dodgers’ stolen base leader in 2023 with 23.
2024 predictions?
Freddie Freeman is projected to have yet another MVP-caliber season, and with the hitters batting around him in the Dodgers lineup, expect the legend of Freeman to live on.
According to FanGraphs, Freeman is expected to be more of the same, hitting .300/.388/.506, 141 wRC+, and 4.5 WAR.
If the Dodgers are to accomplish their ultimate goal of a World Series Championship, they will need Freeman to continue his elite production atop the Dodgers’ order.
Other choices?
Freeman will be the Dodgers’ primary 1B for the 2024 season and beyond; however, injuries do happen, and if one does arise, the Dodgers have options.
The most logical option would be Max Muncy, the Dodgers primary 1B before Freeman joined the team in 2022. Muncy would slide in nicely if something happened. However, Will Smith and Kiké Hernández have also made starts at the position.
DODGERBEAT GRADE: A
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