First baseman of the future...

Atlanta Braves 1B Freddie Freeman was named National League Player of the Week last week. This is the second time this year that Freeman has received this honor. In seven games last week, he hit .367. Freeman touched the bases 23 times and connected 11 times for a base hit, which was tied for 1st for the week. He saw yard three times and collected 10 RBI's.

1B Freddie Freeman connecting on a pitch against the Phillies in 2011: Photo/ AP Barbara Johnston

I know Freeman has a lot of competition out there from other players, but if he keeps this up, we could be looking at an MVP year. I mean, Freeman did come in second last year in NL Rookie of the Year votes behind teammate closer Graig Kimbrel. Kimbrel won the award for his dominant performance of 46 saves with a 2.10 ERA. Freeman led all first year position players with a .282 avg., 21 HR, and 76 RBI's. This year after 29 games he is hitting .291 with six homers, and bringing in 26 teammates.

Freeman was drafted by the Braves in the 2nd round, 78th pick of the 2007 draft.  Now 21, the Braves were grooming him as their next longtime 1st baseman of the future, even when he was in the minors. I can't remember the last time the Braves had a longtime everyday 1B that the team groomed from the minors. The team has had awesome players with likes of Andres Galarraga and Crime Dog Fred McGriff. But they were brought over in trades. But  since Galarraga and Crime Dog, the Braves have had transitional players play first, but not a true first baseman. This year if you see another player taking the realms at first, it probably is a day off for Freeman.

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Mark A. Kirkley: twitter @makirkley