Freeman: from Scrapper to Guardian

Tyler Freeman knows the importance of climbing the ladder to a major league team.

The member of the Cleveland Guardians started his pro career in 2018 with the Mahoning Valley Scrappers.

"I remember the stadium environment, the mall area where the stadium was because we'd always go there after games to eat and stuff," said Freeman.

In the season Freeman played in 72 games, batted .352 and helped them win the Pickney Division with a 42-33 record.

"We're having fun, we're playing loose and we're trusting our pitchers, we're hitting and everything is going right," Freeman told 21 Sports in July 2018.

Now with the Guardians off to a 9-3 start Freeman feels the same way.

"We have a ton of good guys here and number one we're keeping the environment loose and we're trying to win games."

More than 40 former Scrappers at one time have made it to the majors.

"Those were the best days, they were," said Freeman adding it was really run.

The Guardians open a weekend series against the Yankees Friday at Progressive Field.