Nate Freiman AKA Brandon Moss 2.0
By Andrew Brown
The A’s claimed first baseman Nate Freiman from the Astros this week in an attempt to build depth at the first base position behind Brandon Moss. Freiman was originally drafted by San Diego in the 8th round of the 2009 draft.
Oct 7, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Oakland Athletics first baseman Brandon Moss (37) at bat during game two of the 2012 ALDS against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
The 26-year-old power hitter was selected by Houston in the Rule 5 draft. If a player is selected in this draft he must stay on the selecting team’s 25 man roster the entire season or be exposed to waivers and/or being sent back to the original team (in this case San Diego).
Freiman in theory will be the same player that Chris Carter was with Brandon Moss. A right handed hitting first baseman with power and that will not have a high batting average. He has tremendous power numbers in the minor leagues, but this will be his first shot at the big league level.
With some of the recent roster decisions being made, along with the claiming of Freiman, the A’s roster seems to be slowly taking shape. The infield seems relatively set except for the battle for back up. Adam Rosales and Eric Sogard are both making cases to be on the opening day roster.
Freiman’s signing is extremely low risk for the A’s. He is cheap and can possibly turn into a Brandon Moss type player that coupled with Moss will prove to be powerful platoon at first. He has hit decently this spring so A’s fans should hope that will continue into the season. If he does not produce the A’s have plenty of options at Triple-A Sacramento including the recently demoted Shane Peterson. The only downside to him not producing other than obvious is that the A’s will then have to release Freiman or offer him back to San Diego.
This addition could prove to be huge for the A’s if it turns out like the Brandon Moss signing did last year. If not the risk was not that big so it will not hurt. Here’s hoping the Green and Gold caught Moss 2.0 in a bottle.