Nate Freiman

{{Infobox baseball biography

| name = Nate Freiman

| image = Nate Freiman on August 23, 2013.jpg

| image_size =

| caption = Freiman with the Oakland Athletics

| position = First baseman

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1986|12|31}}

| birth_place = Washington, D.C., U.S.

| bats = Right

| throws = Right

| debutleague = MLB

| debutdate = April 3

| debutyear = 2013

| debutteam = Oakland Athletics

| finalleague = MLB

| finaldate = September 27

| finalyear = 2014

| finalteam = Oakland Athletics

| statleague = MLB

| stat1label = Batting average

| stat1value = .256

| stat3label = Home runs

| stat3value = 9

| stat4label = Runs batted in

| stat4value = 39

| teams =

Oakland Athletics ({{mlby|2013}}–{{mlby|2014}})

}}

Nathan Samuel Freiman (born December 31, 1986) is an American former professional baseball first baseman who played for the Oakland Athletics of Major League Baseball in 2013 and 2014. In 2013, baseball writer Tim Brown wrote of his 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) frame, "Near as anyone can tell, there's never been a taller major-league position player than Freiman."{{cite web|author=Tim Brown |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/news/looking-up--nate-freiman-caddying--studying-history--defying-logic-on-mlb-journey-045156698.html |title=Curious case of Nate Freiman: Oakland's tall drink can wax history, caddie if needed |publisher=Yahoo! Sports |date=May 30, 2012 |access-date=April 11, 2013}}

Freiman holds Duke University's career home run record, and the school's second-highest all-time batting average. In the minor leagues, playing in the San Diego Padres organization, he led the Northwest League in runs batted in (RBIs) and extra base hits in 2009, was a Midwest League midseason All-Star in 2010, and was a California League postseason All-Star in 2011. In 2012, Freiman led the Texas League in RBIs and hits, and was both a midseason and postseason All-Star.

In December 2012, the Astros picked Freiman in the Rule 5 draft and added him to their 40-man roster. In March 2013, the Athletics claimed him off waivers, and he made his major league debut for the Athletics the following month. Freiman was voted American League Rookie of the Month for May 2013, and for the season he batted .274. He started 2014 in Triple-A. But after leading the Pacific Coast League in RBIs through June 29, while tying for seventh in the league in home runs, he was called back up to the A's. On July 2, 2015, the A's designated Freiman for assignment. He played for Team Israel at the 2017 World Baseball Classic.

Freiman is married to golfer Amanda Blumenherst. The two were Duke's ACC Senior Male and Female Athletes of the Year in 2009.

Early life

Freiman is Jewish, and was born in Washington, D.C., to Len and Marjorie Freiman, a lawyer and a teacher of Judaism, respectively.{{cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=474384#sectionType=career&statType=1&season=2013&gameType=%27R%27&level=%27ALL%27 |title=Nate Freiman Stats, Video Highlights, Photos, Bio |work=mlb.com |date=June 19, 2012 |access-date=March 12, 2013}}{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fA_LdKFoWDwC&q=Nate+Freiman&pg=PT160 |title=Senior Year: A Father, a Son, and High School Baseball |author=Dan Shaughnessy |publisher= Houghton Mifflin Harcourt|year= 2007 |isbn=978-0618729050 |access-date=March 12, 2013}}{{cite web|url=http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=233706 |title=Nate Freiman Bio |publisher=Duke University Blue Devils |access-date=March 12, 2013}}{{cite web|url=http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=1473019 |author= Jim Sumner|title=Baseball Moving Back On The Radar |publisher=Duke University Blue Devils |date=May 21, 2008 |access-date=March 12, 2013}}{{cite web |author=Howard Megdal |url=http://www.sportsonearth.com/article/46813978/ |title=Oakland's Nate Freiman is the ultimate journeyman |publisher=SportsonEarth.com |date=May 7, 2013 |access-date=June 29, 2014 |archive-date=November 9, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109172740/http://www.sportsonearth.com/article/46813978 |url-status=dead }} Both of his parents have law degrees. His younger brother, Eli, was preparing for medical board examinations as Nate was starting his major league career early in the 2013 season.{{cite news |url=http://www.wickedlocal.com/wellesley/homepage/x1575047714?zc_p=2#axzz2NItf5rGx |author=David Gordon |title=The Duke of Cape Cod baseball |work=The Wellesley Townsman |date=August 2, 2007 |access-date=March 12, 2013 |archive-date=July 30, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130730162657/http://www.wickedlocal.com/wellesley/homepage/x1575047714?zc_p=2#axzz2NItf5rGx |url-status=dead }}

Freiman grew up in the college town of Wellesley, Massachusetts, a western suburb of Boston, where he was also taught AP Physics by Michael Krieger in his senior year, and his ability to throw an egg at high speed towards a blanket was recognized by the teacher. He was both a pitcher and a slugging catcher for the Wellesley High School baseball team for four years, graduating in 2005.{{cite news|url=http://lakeelsinore-wildomar.patch.com/articles/freiman-key-in-tonights-make-or-break-game |author=Bruce Bourquin |title=Freiman Key In Tonight's Make-Or-Break Game |publisher=Lake Elsinore-Wildomar, CA Patch |date=September 9, 2011 |access-date=March 13, 2013}}{{cite news|url=http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/minors/2013/01/03/former-wellesley-high-baseball-star-nate-freiman-moves-astros/1ZfSfaZyLLiCCLCn5OYJ3K/story.html |author= Marvin Pave |title=Former Wellesley High baseball star Nate Freiman moves on to Astros |work=Boston Globe |date=January 3, 2013 |access-date=March 12, 2013}} In his junior year, he led the Bay State Conference with a .500 batting average and 19 RBIs.{{cite news |url=http://bostonherald.com/sports/high_school/high_school_insider/2012/12/former_boston_herald_baseball_all_scholastics_nate |author=Danny Ventura |title=Former Boston Herald baseball All-Scholastics Nate Freiman and Jack McGeary tabbed in today's Rule 5 Draft |work=Boston Herald |date=December 2012 |access-date=March 12, 2013 |archive-date=April 14, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150414014824/http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/high_school/high_school_insider/2012/12/former_boston_herald_baseball_all_scholastics_nate |url-status=dead }} As a pitcher with a {{convert|90|mph}} fastball, he was 17–1 in his last two years. As a batter, he hit .500.{{cite web |last=Megliola |first=Lenny |url=http://www.wickedlocal.com/wellesley/features/x1084478932/Wellesley-native-Nate-Freiman-experiences-wild-ride-in-pro-baseball#axzz2NItf5rGx |title=Wellesley native Nate Freiman experiences wild ride in pro baseball |work=The Wellesley Townsman |date=January 3, 2013 |access-date=March 12, 2013 |archive-date=March 14, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130314062255/http://www.wickedlocal.com/wellesley/features/x1084478932/Wellesley-native-Nate-Freiman-experiences-wild-ride-in-pro-baseball#axzz2NItf5rGx |url-status=dead }} He was a three-time all-Conference selection, and a two-year team captain.{{cite web|url=http://www.athletic.net/trackandfield/EventRecords.aspx?SchoolID=13254&S=12005 |title=Wellesley HS Track & Field Season Statistics and Records; 2005 Indoor |publisher=Athletic.net |access-date=March 12, 2013}}

Freiman was the best player in Massachusetts in his final two years: MVP of the Bay State Conference as a junior and senior, winner of the Division 2 Baseball Player of the Year Award as a junior and senior, and winner of the state's Gatorade Player of the Year and ranked by Perfect Game USA as the top high school prospect in Massachusetts as a senior.{{Cite news |last=Whitters |first=James |date=2005-06-26 |title=Seasons for success |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-boston-globe-seasons-for-success/165606994/ |access-date=2025-02-15 |work=The Boston Globe |page=16 |via=Newspapers.com}}{{cite web|url=http://www.boston.com/sports/colleges/baseball/articles/2009/06/21/wellesleys_nate_freiman_joins_san_diego_padres_system/ |author= Marvin Pave|title=Wellesley's Nate Freiman joins San Diego Padres system |work=The Boston Globe |date=June 21, 2009 |access-date=March 12, 2013}}{{cite news|url=http://www.boston.com/yourtown/news/wellesley/2009/06/padres_select_freiman_in_8th_r.html|author= Craig Larson|title=Padres select Freiman in 25th round of MLB Draft |publisher= Boston.com|date=June 11, 2009 |access-date=March 12, 2013}}{{cite web|url=http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=474384#gameType=%27R%27|title=Nate Freiman Stats, Video Highlights, Photos, Bio|publisher=Oakland Athletics|access-date=October 6, 2014|archive-date=October 10, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141010010201/http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=474384#gameType=%27R%27|url-status=dead}} Baseball America rated him one of the top 50 high school prospects in the country.{{cite news|url=http://www.boston.com/sports/schools/baseball/articles/2005/05/08/phenom_fever_grips_town?pg=full |author=James Whitters |title=Phenom fever grips town; Scouts pursue fastballer as Wellesley adjusts to national attention |work=Boston Globe |date=May 8, 2005 |access-date=March 12, 2013}}

At the same time, he lettered in indoor track (running 300 meter and 600 meter races as well as in the 55 meter hurdles) and was captain of the track team. He was also editor of his high school newspaper, The Bradford, and is a member of both the National Honor Society and the National Spanish Honor Society.{{cite web|url=http://www.bostonbaseball.com/boston_globe_all_scholastics/2004_boston_globe_all_scholastics.php |title=Boston Globe All-Scholastics in Baseball, 2004 |publisher=Boston Amateur Baseball Network|date=February 1, 2007 |access-date=March 13, 2013}}

College

Freiman attended Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, graduating in 2009 with a baccalaureate degree as a history major and a mathematics minor.{{cite news|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130218&content_id=41760438&vkey=news_hou&c_id=hou |author=Brian McTaggart |title=Towering Freiman looks to make big impression |work=mlb.com |date=February 18, 2013 |access-date=March 12, 2013}} He played college baseball for the Duke Blue Devils baseball team as a first baseman and catcher.

In 2006, his freshman year, Freiman injured his throwing arm in the first inning of his only start on the mound, ending his pitching aspirations.{{cite news|last=Avidon |first=Eric |url=http://www.milforddailynews.com/sports/x5991299|title=On campus: Wellesley's Freiman rebounds from injury for Duke baseball |work=The Milford Daily News |date=April 20, 2006 |access-date=March 13, 2013}} He made the All-Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) academic baseball team and the ACC academic honor roll.

In 2007, he led the team with a .369 batting average, 7 home runs and 48 RBIs. He was an ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District III Second Team selection, and made the All-ACC academic team and the ACC academic honor roll for the second consecutive year. He played for the Orleans Cardinals of the Cape Cod League in the summer, and was fifth in the league in RBIs with 28.{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.thebaseballcube.com/college/summer/stats.asp?Y=2007&T=Orleans_Cardinals |title=2007 Orleans Cardinals |publisher=thebaseballcube.com |date= |accessdate=July 20, 2021}}{{cite web|url=http://capecodbaseball.org/news/season/?article_id=956 |author=Gabriella Remington |title=Orleans first baseman Nate Freiman Chosen as Recipient of Manny Robello 10th Player Award |publisher=capecodbaseball.org |date=September 24, 2007 |access-date=March 13, 2013}}

In 2008, he led the team with a .381 batting average, 11 home runs and 46 RBIs, and was an ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District III first team selection and a member of the All-ACC Academic baseball team, the ACC academic honor roll and the Jewish All-American team by the Jewish Sports Review. He again played with the Orleans Cardinals in the Cape Cod League during the summer.{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.thebaseballcube.com/college/summer/stats.asp?Y=2008&T=Orleans_Cardinals |title=2008 Orleans Cardinals |publisher=thebaseballcube.com |date= |accessdate=July 20, 2021}}

As a senior in 2009, Freiman led the ACC in home runs with 20, becoming only the second player in Duke history to hit 20 home runs in a season, and breaking the Blue Devils' all-time career home run record of 42 by Ryan Jackson.{{cite web|url=http://padres.scout.com/a.z?s=315&p=8&c=1&nid=4389893 |title=Nate Freiman Profile |publisher=Padres.scout.com |access-date=March 12, 2013}}{{cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20121025&content_id=40043052&vkey=news_hou&fext=.jsp&c_id=hou |author= Corey Brock |title=Padres prospect Freiman looks to raise his game; First baseman enjoys the competition in World Classic, Arizona Fall League|work=mlb.com |date= October 25, 2012|access-date=March 12, 2013}}{{cite news|url=http://www.goduke.com/pdf5/379141.pdf?DB_OEM_ID=4200 |title=Duke Blue Devils 2009 Baseball, Offensive Records |publisher=Duke University Blue Devils |access-date=March 13, 2013}} He also led Duke in homers, batting average (.352) and RBIs (62) for the third straight year, earning second-team All-ACC honors.

In addition to holding Duke's all-time career home run record (43), his .356 career batting average is the second-highest in school history. He also holds the Duke career slugging percentage record (.616), and ranks third among Duke players in career on-base percentage (.437), fifth in RBIs (180), sixth in doubles (51) and tied for ninth in hits (251).{{cite web|url=http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=3743160 |title=Freiman Collects First Team Academic All-America Honors |publisher=Duke University Blue Devils |date=May 26, 2009 |access-date=March 13, 2013}}{{cite news|url=http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=205275064&DB_OEM_ID=4200 |title=Freiman Named MVP of Cal League Finals |publisher=Duke University Blue Devils |date=September 20, 2011 |access-date=March 13, 2013}} He earned all-ACC academic team and honor roll honors each season at Duke (as cited above), and is the only player in school history to receive the ACC Baseball Scholar-Athlete of the Year award, which he was voted in 2009.{{cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20121104&content_id=40170494&vkey=news_hou&fext=.jsp&c_id=hou |author= Jim Gintonio |title=Padres' top prospect Rymer Liriano 'ready' for big leagues |work=mlb.com |date= November 5, 2012|access-date=March 12, 2013}} Academically, he graduated with a GPA of 3.84.{{cite web|url=http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=3735300 |author=Michael Tomko |title=Blumenherst, Freiman Are Duke's Senior Male and Female Athletes of the Year |publisher=Duke University Blue Devils |date=May 8, 2009|access-date=March 12, 2013}}

Professional career

=San Diego Padres (2009–12)=

Freiman was drafted by the Texas Rangers as a college junior, in the 28th round of the 2008 Major League Baseball Draft, but did not sign preferring to honor his commitment to Duke.{{cite web |date=December 31, 1986 |title=Nate Freiman Minor League Statistics & History |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=freima001nat |access-date=March 12, 2013 |website=Baseball-Reference.com}} He was then drafted by the San Diego Padres in the 8th round of the 2009 Major League Baseball Draft, and signed for $40,000.{{cite web|url=http://www.baseballamerica.com/statistics/players/cards/32400 |title=Stats: Nate Freiman |publisher=Baseball America|access-date=March 12, 2013}}

In 2009, playing for the Eugene Emeralds of the Low–A Northwest League, Freiman led the league for the season in RBIs (68), extra-base hits (33) and total bases (140), and was second in home runs (11) and doubles (22).{{cite web |url=http://sandiego.padres.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20091203&content_id=7749414&vkey=news_sd&fext=.jsp&c_id=sd |author=Jonathan Mayo |title=Plenty of potential among Padres' Draft picks |publisher=Sandiego.padres.mlb.com |date=December 4, 2009 |access-date=March 12, 2013 }}{{dead link|date=October 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} He hit .294/.364/.484 over 72 games, and .336 with runners in scoring position. His 18-game hitting streak was the second-best in the league. Freiman was named Northwest League Player of the Week on August 24, 2009.

Freiman played for the Fort Wayne TinCaps of the Single–A Midwest League in 2010, and was a midseason All-Star and finished second to Khris Davis in the Midwest League All-Star Home Run Derby.{{cite news|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=FW&s_site=fortwayne&p_multi=FW&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=130A988EEFDDD860&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |title=Bombing the boulevard, Freiman sends hits out of the park, takes 2nd in Home Run Derby |publisher=Fort Wayne News Sentinel |date=June 22, 2010 |access-date=March 12, 2013}} He batted .294/.369/.457, led the league in doubles (43), and was fourth in RBIs (84) and hits (154).{{Cite web |title=2010 Midwest League |url=https://www.thebaseballcube.com/content/minor_summary/2010~Midw/ |access-date=2025-02-15 |website=The Baseball Cube}}

File:Nate Freiman Lake Elsinore Storm.jpg in 2011]]

In 2011, Freiman played for the Lake Elsinore Storm of the High–A California League setting single-season club records with 22 home runs (tied for 6th in the league) and 111 RBIs (3rd in the league), and was named a postseason All-Star.[http://www.thebaseballcube.com/seasons/review.asp?Y=2011&L=Calif&Page=Awards "2011 California League - Season Review,"] Baseball Cube.

Freiman played for the San Antonio Missions of the Double–A Texas League in 2012, leading the league in RBIs (105; the highest total among all minor leaguers in the Padres system) and hits (154) and finishing second in extra-base hits (56) and total bases (259), third in home runs (24), fourth in doubles (31) and fifth in slugging percentage (.502).{{cite web |url=http://www.csnbayarea.com/athletics/claim-first-baseman-waivers-houston |title=A's claim first baseman off waivers from Houston |publisher=NBC Sports |date=March 23, 2013 |access-date=March 23, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130326135528/http://www.csnbayarea.com/athletics/claim-first-baseman-waivers-houston |archive-date=March 26, 2013 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://padres.scout.com/2/1228405.html |title=2012 MadFriars' TL Player of the Year |publisher=Padres.scout.com |date=October 9, 2012 |access-date=March 12, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121124102536/http://padres.scout.com/2/1228405.html |archive-date=November 24, 2012 |url-status=dead }} He hit .298 with a .370 on-base percentage in 137 games.{{cite web|url=http://houston.astros.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20121206&content_id=40552520&vkey=pr_hou&c_id=hou|title=Astros select Fields, Freiman in Major League portion of Rule 5 Draft|work=mlb.com|access-date=March 12, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130511203934/http://houston.astros.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20121206&content_id=40552520&vkey=pr_hou&c_id=hou|archive-date=May 11, 2013}} He batted .336 with runners in scoring position. Against southpaws he batted .348, with 8 homers in only 112 at-bats.{{cite news|url=http://www.mercurynews.com/athletics/ci_22858578/first-base-possibilities-broaden-nate-freiman-signing |author=John Hickey |title=A's first base possibilities broaden with Nate Freiman signing |work=San Jose Mercury News |date= March 23, 2013|access-date=March 24, 2013}} He was both a Texas League mid- and postSeason All-Star, and an MILB.com San Diego Padres All-Star. After the regular season, he played for the Peoria Javelinas in the Arizona Fall League.

File:Nate Freiman on defense.jpg

Through 2012, in his first four minor league seasons Freiman batted .294 with 71 home runs and 368 RBI in 483 games, averaging 23 homers and 108 RBIs the last two years. His slash line was .294/.364/.482. He had a career 1.060 OPS against left-handed pitching.{{cite web |url=http://athletics.scout.com/2/1277480.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130411193118/http://athletics.scout.com/2/1277480.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 11, 2013 |author=Melissa Lockard |title=Oakland A's Notes: Freiman & MiLB Releases |publisher=Athletics.scout.com |date=March 24, 2013 |access-date=March 24, 2013 }} His fielding percentage at first base was .992.{{cite web|url=http://climbingtalshill.com/2013/02/17/where-do-the-rule-5-draftees-fit/ |author=Yoni Pollak|title=Will Houston Astros Rule 5 picks Josh Fields & Nate Freiman make team? |publisher=Climbingtalshill.com |date=February 17, 2013 |access-date=March 13, 2013}}

Randy Smith, the Padres' vice president of player development and international scouting, said, "This is a guy who hits the ball as hard as anyone." Padres' manager Bud Black had three words to describe Freiman: "Big-time power."{{cite web |author=Brock |first=Corey |date=September 20, 2012 |title=Padres prospect Freiman leads Israel to victory |url=http://sandiego.padres.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120920&content_id=38724560¬ebook_id=38724586&vkey=notebook_sd&c_id=sd |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307171643/http://m.padres.mlb.com/news/article/38724586 |archive-date=2016-03-07 |website=MLB.com}} Notwithstanding all this, he was blocked from advancing to the major league Padres by their regular first baseman Yonder Alonso.

Freiman began 2013 playing for the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats.{{cite web |url=http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20140629&content_id=82221662&vkey=pr_oak&c_id=oak |title=A's Recall 1B Nate Freiman from Sacramento |work=mlb.com |access-date=June 29, 2014 |archive-date=August 5, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140805064510/http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20140629&content_id=82221662&vkey=pr_oak&c_id=oak |url-status=dead }} Before he was called up to the majors on June 29, he batted .277 with 14 home runs and 69 RBIs in 296 at bats in 76 games, with a slugging percentage of .493. His RBI total led the Pacific Coast League to that point, and his home run total was tied for seventh in the PCL.

=Houston Astros (2013)=

The Houston Astros picked Freiman for $50,000 with the top pick in the second round of the Rule 5 draft in December 2012, and added him to their 40-man roster.{{cite web |url=http://houston.astros.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20121206&content_id=40552462&vkey=news_hou&c_id=hou |author=Brian McTaggart |title=Astros take right-hander Josh Fields, first baseman Nate Freiman in Rule 5 draft |publisher=Houston.astros.mlb.com |date=December 6, 2012 |access-date=March 12, 2013 |archive-date=December 10, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121210123543/http://houston.astros.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20121206&content_id=40552462&vkey=news_hou&c_id=hou |url-status=dead }} If they didn't keep Freiman on their 25-man roster for the entire season, they were required to offer him back to the Padres for $25,000.{{cite web |author=McTaggart |first=Brian |date=June 19, 2012 |title=Houston Astros' roster likely in place for Spring training |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130102&content_id=40834114&vkey=news_hou&fext=.jsp&c_id=hou |access-date=March 12, 2013 |work=mlb.com}}

Kevin Goldstein, the Astros’ director of pro scouting, observed, "He destroys left-handed pitching."{{cite web|url=http://theswellesleyreport.com/2012/12/wellesley-baseball-player-nate-freiman/ |author= B. Brown |title=Rule 5 draft gives ex-Wellesley baseball star Nate Freiman fresh shot at major leagues |publisher=The sWellesley Report |date=December 6, 2012 |access-date=March 12, 2013}} Astros manager Bo Porter said:

You're sitting in the stands and you can see he's a big guy, but when I walked up to him for the first time face-to-face, I go, 'Wow, this is a big man.' He's big, but he has a really good swing. It's not like a big guy. It's short, compact. It's not just the home runs. The guy has a pretty good idea how to hit.

Freiman went to spring training with the Astros in 2013.{{cite web |author=Novak |first=Ethan |date=March 5, 2013 |title=Duke in the MLB: Nate Freiman Trying to Land Spot on Astros' Opening Day Roster |url=http://balldurham.com/2013/03/05/duke-in-the-mlb-nate-freiman-trying-to-land-spot-on-astros-opening-day-roster/ |access-date=March 12, 2013 |website=Ball Durham}} As late as March 22, Brian T. Smith of the Houston Chronicle thought there was a strong chance he would make the team's opening day roster.{{cite news |last=Smith |first=Brian T. |date=March 22, 2013 |title=Freiman out to defy odds and make Astros roster |url=http://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/astros/article/Freiman-out-to-defy-odds-and-make-Astros-roster-4375199.php |access-date=March 23, 2013 |work=Houston Chronicle}}

Although the Astros initially planned to include Freiman on their 2013 major league team, they ran into a logjam at first base. After drafting Freiman, they signed veteran slugger first baseman/designated hitter Carlos Peña to a guaranteed contract and acquired first baseman/designated hitter Chris Carter from Oakland, and incumbent Brett Wallace was expected to be their everyday first baseman for the season.{{cite web|url=http://www.crawfishboxes.com/2013/3/23/4139554/rule-5-pick-nate-freiman-claimed-by-oakland-as |author=CR Perry|title=Rule 5 Pick Nate Freiman Claimed by Oakland A's |publisher=The Crawfish Boxes |date=March 11, 2013 |access-date=March 23, 2013}}{{cite news|url=http://blog.chron.com/ultimateastros/2013/03/23/oakland-as-claim-astros-slugging-prospect-nate-freiman-off-waivers/ |author=Brian T. Smith |title=Oakland A's claim Astros' slugging prospect Nate Freiman off waivers |publisher=Houston Chronicle |date=March 23, 2013 |access-date=March 23, 2013}} Consequently, they decided they didn't have room for Freiman and placed him on waivers.

=Oakland Athletics (2014-15)=

On March 23, 2013, Freiman was claimed off waivers by the Oakland Athletics and added to their 40-man roster.{{cite web|last=Wilmoth |first=Charlie |url=http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2013/03/athletics-claim-nate-freiman.html |title=Athletics Claim Nate Freiman |publisher=MLBTradeRumors.com |date= March 23, 2012|access-date=March 23, 2013}}{{cite web|author=Brian McTaggart |url=http://brianmctaggart.mlblogs.com/2013/03/23/2126746/ |title=Astros lose Freiman in waiver claim by Oakland |publisher=mlblogs.com |date=June 19, 2012 |access-date=March 23, 2013}} The A's had been looking for a right-handed-hitting first baseman to complement left-handed-hitting Brandon Moss since they traded Moss's platoon-mate, Chris Carter, to Houston in February 2013.{{cite news|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1579092-oakland-as-claim-1b-nate-freiman-off-waivers-from-houston-astros |author= D.J. O'Connor|title=Oakland A's Claim 1B Nate Freiman off Waivers from Houston Astros |publisher=Bleacher Report |date=March 23, 2013 |access-date=March 24, 2013}} A's assistant general manager David Forst observed,

He had a great year in Double-A last year. Obviously he has a ton of power. And his splits against left-handed pitching are off the charts.

On March 30, Freiman was put on the A's 25-man major league roster.{{cite news|url=http://www.csnbayarea.com/blog/casey-pratt/make-final-cuts-pare-roster-25 |author=Casey Pratt |title=A's make final cuts, pare roster to 25 |publisher=CSN Bay Area |date=March 30, 2013 |access-date=April 4, 2013}} Manager Bob Melvin said Freiman would get starts against southpaw starters, and that Freiman had "as much power as anyone here."{{cite news |last=Steward |first=Carl |url=http://www.modbee.com/2013/03/30/2646888/waiver-pickup-freiman-gives-athletics.html |title=Waiver pickup Freiman gives Athletics insurance against lefties |work=Modesto Bee |date=March 30, 2013 |access-date=April 4, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130411093849/http://www.modbee.com/2013/03/30/2646888/waiver-pickup-freiman-gives-athletics.html |archive-date=April 11, 2013 }} On April 3, he had two hits in three at-bats in his major league debut, the first Oakland player to get two hits in his debut since Daric Barton in 2007.{{cite web|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1592360-nate-freiman-looks-mlb-ready-in-debut-with-oakland-athletics |author=D.J. O'Connor |title=Nate Freiman Looks MLB-Ready in Debut with Oakland Athletics |publisher=Bleacher Report |date=January 14, 2010 |access-date=April 4, 2013}}

Freiman was voted American League Rookie of the Month for May 2013, after batting .351 (13-for-37) with 3 doubles, 1 home run, and 9 RBIs in 14 games, as among A.L. rookies he was second in RBIs, tied for fourth in doubles, tied for sixth in hits and homers.{{cite web |date=2013-06-03 |title=Nate Freiman of the Oakland Athletics named the American League Rookie of the Month for May |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/nate-freiman-named-the-american-league-rookie-of-the-month-for-may/c-49496286 |access-date=2025-02-15 |work=MLB.com}} For the season, he batted .274 in 190 at bats.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/freimna01.shtml|title=Nate Freiman Statistics and History|work=Baseball-Reference.com}}

In 2014, the A's invited Freiman to their major league camp in spring training to compete with Daric Barton and others for a spot on their 25-man roster. On March 23, Freiman was optioned to the Sacramento River Cats.{{Cite web |date=March 23, 2014 |title=A's option Freiman, Leon and Lindblom to Triple-A Sacramento |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/as-option-freiman-leon-and-lindblom-to-triple-a-sacramento/c-69986688 |access-date=2025-02-15 |website=MLB.com}} He batted .284/.371/.506 for them, with 15 home runs and 74 RBIs in 310 at bats.{{Cite web |title=Nate Freiman Minor, Fall, Independent & Mexican Leagues Statistics |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=freima001nat |access-date=2025-02-15 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}} Freiman started 2014 in Triple-A. A's manager Bob Melvin said he wanted Freiman to get some at bats against right-handed pitchers while down in Sacramento.

Freiman was called up to the A's on June 29, 2014, after leading the Pacific Coast League to that point in RBIs, and tying for seventh in home runs.{{cite web |last=Slusser |first=Susan |title=Nate Freiman called up, in A's lineup; Reddick to DL |url=http://blog.sfgate.com/athletics/2014/06/29/nate-freiman-called-up-in-as-lineup-reddick-likely-to-dl/ |access-date=June 29, 2014 |website=sfgate.com}} Melvin said that Freiman would be the A's first baseman against left-handed starting pitchers, as had been the case the prior year. His 61-game errorless streak, which ended on August 15, was the seventh-longest first baseman errorless streak in Oakland history.

Freiman played for the Nashville Sounds in 2015, batting .220. On July 2, 2015, the A's designated Freiman for assignment.{{Cite web |date=2015-07-02 |title=Athletics DFA Nate Freiman on Thursday |url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/athletics-dfa-nate-freiman-on-thursday/ |access-date=2025-02-15 |website=CBSSports.com |language=en}} On July 5 he was assigned to the Nashville Sounds.{{Cite web |title=Nate Freiman Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News |url=https://www.mlb.com/player/nate-freiman-474384 |access-date=2025-02-15 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}

=Washington Nationals (2016)=

On December 23, 2015, Freiman signed a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves and was assigned to the Triple–A Gwinnett Braves.

Freiman was traded to the Washington Nationals in exchange for 1B/OF Tyler Moore on March 27, 2016.{{cite news |date=March 27, 2016 |title=Braves acquire Tyler Moore from Nationals in exchange for Nate Freiman |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/15078690/atlanta-braves-acquire-tyler-moore-washington-nationals-nate-freiman |access-date=March 27, 2016 |work=ESPN |agency=Associated Press}} He was released on April 21.{{cite web|url=http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2016/04/nationals-release-freiman-micah-owings-york-revolution.html|title=Minor MLB Transactions: 4/21/16|last=Todd|first=Jeff|work=mlbtraderumors.com|date=April 21, 2016|access-date=April 21, 2016}}

=Long Island Ducks (2016)=

On April 30, 2016, Freiman signed with the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. He batted .381/.458/.714 in 24 plate appearances.

=Boston Red Sox (2016)=

On May 10, 2016, the Red Sox signed Freiman to a minor league contract and assigned him to the Double–A Portland Sea Dogs. He finished the season batting .277/.364/.450 with 11 home runs in 311 at bats.{{Cite web |title=Nate Freiman Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News |url=https://www.milb.com/player/nate-freiman-474384 |access-date=2025-02-15 |website=Minor League Baseball |language=en}} Freiman elected to be a free agent on November 7.

=Long Island Ducks (second stint) (2017)=

On April 22, 2017, the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League re-signed Freiman.{{Cite web |url=https://federalnewsradio.com/sports-news/2017/04/tuesdays-sports-transactions-332/ |title=Tuesday's Sports Transactions |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170422215856/https://federalnewsradio.com/sports-news/2017/04/tuesdays-sports-transactions-332/ |archive-date=April 22, 2017 |work= Federal News Radio}} Later that month he left the Ducks, for whom he was batting .250 with four home runs and six RBI, to play in the Mexican League.{{Cite web |last=Lauterbach |first=Jordan |date=2017-04-29 |title=Nate Freiman leaves Ducks to play in Mexican League |url=https://www.newsday.com/sports/local/ducks/nate-freiman-leaves-long-island-ducks-to-play-in-mexican-league-j56410 |access-date=2025-02-15 |website=Newsday |language=en}}

=Acereros de Monclova (2017) =

On May 2, 2017, Freiman signed with the Acereros de Monclova of the Mexican League.{{Cite web |last=Megliola |first=Lenny |date=2017-06-27 |title=Mexico the latest stop on Nate Freiman's winding baseball journey |url=http://wellesley.wickedlocal.com/sports/20170627/megliola-mexico-latest-stop-on-nate-freimans-winding-baseball-journey |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814232510/https://wellesley.wickedlocal.com/sports/20170627/megliola-mexico-latest-stop-on-nate-freimans-winding-baseball-journey |archive-date=2020-08-14 |website=The Wellesley Townsman}}

=Pericos de Puebla (2017)=

Freiman was traded to the Pericos de Puebla on May 20, 2017, in exchange for outfielder Cole Gillespie. Between the two teams, in 198 combined at bats he batted .298/.418/.480 with 8 home runs and 35 RBI.{{Cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/player/nate-freiman-474384|title=Nate Freiman Stats, Fantasy & News|website=Minor League Baseball}} Freiman was released before the start of the 2018 season on January 18, 2018.

Freiman announced his retirement from professional baseball at the age of 31 on March 10, 2018, and said he would be studying for an MBA at Duke University.{{Cite news|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/nate-freiman-announces-retirement/|title=Nate Freiman: Announces retirement|work=CBSSports.com|access-date=March 11, 2018|language=en}}{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/natefreiman/status/972486660121219072|title=Time to begin a new chapter!pic.twitter.com/KIc83GnPX4|last=Freiman|first=Nate|date= March 10, 2018|website=@natefreiman|language=en|access-date=March 11, 2018}}

International career

Freiman played for Israel at the 2013 World Baseball Classic qualifier in September 2012. Manager Brad Ausmus started him at first base and batted him third in the lineup.{{cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20121206&content_id=40553194&vkey=news_hou&fext=.jsp&c_id=hou |author= Corey Brock |title=Padres lose Nate Freiman, keep other assets in Rule 5 |work=mlb.com |date= December 6, 2012|access-date=March 12, 2013}}{{cite web |date=September 21, 2012 |title=Two more WBC homers for Freiman; Padres prospect has four longballs in two international games |url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-38775168 |access-date=2025-02-15 |website=Minor League Baseball}}Walter Villa (September 21, 2012). [https://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/22/sports/baseball/freiman-powers-israel-in-world-baseball-classic-qualifying.html?_r=0 "Padres Watch as Minor Leaguer Powers Israel"], The New York Times, Retrieved March 12, 2013. Of his five hits while batting .417, four were home runs. During the opening game, against South Africa, Zeid went 2 for 5, with both of his hits being 2-out solo homeruns.{{Cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/wbc/2013/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2012_09_19_isrint_rsaint_1&mode=box|title=Israel vs. South Africa at Roger Dean Stadium - Wednesday, September 19, 2012|website=Major League Baseball|access-date=February 14, 2017|archive-date=October 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027153852/http://mlb.mlb.com/wbc/2013/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2012_09_19_isrint_rsaint_1&mode=box|url-status=dead}} During the second game, against Spain, Freiman went 2 for 4, with both of his hits being two-run homeruns.{{Cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/wbc/2013/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2012_09_21_isrint_espint_1&mode=box|title=Israel vs. Spain at Roger Dean Stadium - Friday, September 21, 2012|website=Major League Baseball|access-date=February 14, 2017|archive-date=October 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027153210/http://mlb.mlb.com/wbc/2013/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2012_09_21_isrint_espint_1&mode=box|url-status=dead}} During Israel's third game, the qualifying game against Spain, Freiman went 1 for 3 with an RBI and two walks, while scoring a run and being hit by a pitch.{{Cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/wbc/2013/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2012_09_23_espint_isrint_1&mode=box|title=Spain vs. Israel at Roger Dean Stadium - Sunday, September 23, 2012|website=Major League Baseball|access-date=February 14, 2017|archive-date=October 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027160539/http://mlb.mlb.com/wbc/2013/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2012_09_23_espint_isrint_1&mode=box|url-status=dead}} Israel lost to Spain in extra innings in the pool finals, just missing making the World Baseball Classic. Freiman said: "It was heartbreaking, but hopefully if they put together another team I’ll be a part of it. It was a fantastic experience."

Freiman again played for Israel at the 2017 World Baseball Classic qualifier,{{Cite web |last=Lara-Cinisomo |first=Vince |date=2016-09-22 |title=Rosters For WBC Qualifier In Brooklyn |url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/rosters-for-wbc-qualifier-in-brooklyn/ |access-date=2025-02-15 |website=Baseball America |language=en-US}} batting third in all three games. During the first game of the qualifier, Freiman went 1 for 4 with a walk and a strike out, as the starting first baseman.{{Cite web |title=Great Britain 2, Israel 5 (Final Score) on MLB Gameday |url=https://www.mlb.com/gameday/great-britain-vs-israel/2016/09/22/467858/final |access-date=2025-02-15 |website=MLB.com}} During the second game, Freiman was the DH while going 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts and scored the games only run after hitting a double in the 4th inning.{{Cite web |date=2016-09-23 |title=Brazil 0, Israel 1 (Final Score) on MLB Gameday |url=https://www.mlb.com/gameday/brazil-vs-israel/2016/09/23/467859/final |access-date=2025-02-15 |website=MLB.com}} During the third and final game, Freiman was again the starting first baseman, and went 0 for 3 with 2 walks.{{Cite web |date=2016-09-25 |title=Great Britain 1, Israel 9 (Final Score) on MLB Gameday |url=https://www.mlb.com/gameday/great-britain-vs-israel/2016/09/25/467862/final |access-date=2025-02-15 |website=MLB.com}} Freiman was also credited with getting the final out of the finale, sending Israel to their first appearance in the World Baseball Classic.{{Cite news |last=Mayblum |first=Jordan |date=2016-09-26 |title=Watch: Wellesley's Nate Freiman helps Israel clinch first-ever World Baseball Classic appearance |url=http://wellesley.wickedlocal.com/sports/20160926/watch-wellesleys-nate-freiman-helps-israel-clinch-first-ever-world-baseball-classic-appearance |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20200814231923/https://wellesley.wickedlocal.com/sports/20160926/watch-wellesleys-nate-freiman-helps-israel-clinch-first-ever-world-baseball-classic-appearance |archive-date=2020-08-14 |access-date=2025-02-15 |work=The Wellesley Townsman |language=en}}

Freiman played first base for Team Israel at the 2017 World Baseball Classic in the main tournament, in March 2017.{{Cite web |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/davis-feldman-decker-play-for-israel-in-wbc-c215475224 |title=Israel brings MLB experience to 1st WBC main draw; Vets Davis, Feldman among team members with Major League credentials |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170829161147/http://m.mlb.com/news/article/215475224/davis-feldman-decker-play-for-israel-in-wbc/ |archive-date=August 29, 2017 |url-status=live |work=MLB.com}} In what NBC reported was thought to be the tallest batter-pitcher matchup in baseball history, the {{convert|6|ft|8|in|adj=on}} Freiman walked against the {{convert|7|ft|1|in|adj=on}} pitcher Loek van Mil of the Netherlands during the first round.[http://mlb.nbcsports.com/2017/03/09/video-71-vs-68-the-tallest-pitcher-batter-matchup-ever/ "Video: 7’1″ vs. 6’8″ — the tallest pitcher-batter matchup ever,"] NBC Sports. In the tournament, he batted .273/.429/.636 with 2 doubles and 2 home runs, scoring 7 runs and driving in 6 RBIs in 22 at bats.{{Cite web |title=Stats |url=https://www.worldbaseballclassic.com/stats/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190325125133/https://www.worldbaseballclassic.com/stats |archive-date=March 25, 2019 |work=World Baseball Classic}} Freiman wrote an article describing his experiences on Team Israel, entitled "The Mensches of March."{{Cite web |last=Freiman |first=Nate |date=2017-03-31 |title=The Mensches of March |url=https://www.theplayerstribune.com/articles/nate-freiman-team-israel-baseball |access-date=2025-02-15 |website=The Players' Tribune |language=en-US}}

Post-playing career

Freiman is currently employed by the Cleveland Guardians, where he has served as Director, Hitting Development since 2022.{{cite web |last=Noga |first=Joe |date=January 11, 2022 |title=Cleveland Guardians announce promotions, new hires among baseball operations staff |url=https://www.cleveland.com/guardians/2022/01/cleveland-guardians-announce-promotions-new-hires-among-baseball-operations-staff.html?outputType=amp |access-date=2025-02-15 |website=Cleveland.com}}

Personal life

Freiman married LPGA golfer Amanda Blumenherst in December 2012. She was a three-time National Player of the Year at Duke University, where they met. The two were Duke's ACC Senior Male and Female Athletes of the Year in 2009, and Blumenherst had won the U.S. Women's Amateur in 2008.

Freiman has caddied for her seven times at LPGA tournaments.{{cite web|url=http://aminorleagueseason.com/?stories=57 |author=Matt LaWell |title=A Swing and a Drive|publisher=A Minor League Season |date= May 1, 2012|access-date=March 12, 2013}} He observed: "I'm probably more nervous than she is. I don't choose the clubs, but I have to give her the yardage. I'm adding up all of the numbers, and I better be right. It's nerve-wracking but a lot of fun."

In August 2013, at the age of 26 and eight months after being married, Blumenherst announced that she would take a leave from professional golf to spend more time with her husband.{{cite news |url=http://www.golfchannel.com/news/randall-mell/blumenherst-08-us-womens-am-champ-stepping-away-to-spend-more-time-with-husband/ |title=Blumenherst leaving LPGA to spend more time with husband |work=Golf Channel |first=Randall |last=Mell |date=August 29, 2013 |access-date=September 28, 2013}} She said: "I don't want to say I'm retiring, because you never know what will happen. Maybe I'll decide in a couple years to come back, and this will just be a little break, you never know." The couple has two sons, William David, born in November 2014, and Charles Alexander, born in December 2016, and two daughters, Ella Rose Marie, born in November 2019 and daughter Chloe Emma Faith, born in October 2022.{{Cite web |last=Kuttler |first=Hillel |date=2016-06-30 |title=Jewish ex-major leaguer trying to get back to baseball's big show |url=https://www.jta.org/2016/06/30/sports/jewish-ex-major-leaguer-trying-to-get-back-to-baseballs-big-show |access-date=2025-02-15 |website=Jewish Telegraphic Agency |language=en-US}}