Kyle Freeland

Kyle Freeland's Biography

Kyle Richard Freeland, an American professional baseball pitcher, has been associated with Major League Baseball (MLB) team, the Colorado Rockies, for several years. Born on May 14, 1993, in Denver, Colorado to parents Don and Susan Freeland, Kyle has always shared a unique bond with the sport of Baseball. He has an older brother, Colin, and they both grew up playing different sports. Yet it was golf and baseball that Kyle particularly excelled in.

After attending Thomas Jefferson High School in Denver, Colorado, Kyle’s baseball talents were recognized by the Philadelphia Phillies who selected him in the 35th round of the 2011 Major League Baseball draft. Choosing not to sign, Kyle decided to improve his skills further by attending the University of Evansville to play college baseball for the Evansville Purple Aces.

During his freshman year in 2012, Kyle started 14 games with a 4–5 win-loss record, a 4.55 earned run average (ERA), and an impressive 70 strikeouts in 91 innings. His Sophomore year showed consistent performance with 4-8 win-loss record, 4.34 ERA, and 84 strikeouts in 93 1⁄3 innings. Afterward, he joined the Hyannis Harbor Hawks in the Cape Cod League and proved his worth as a top prospects with a 2.25 ERA, 48 strikeouts, and an all-star league achievement.

Kyle’s flourishing baseball career got a significant push when he became the first-round selection of the 2014 Major League Baseball Draft by the Colorado Rockies. Kyle spent the year between the Grand Junction Rockies and the Asheville Tourists with a commendable combined 3–0 record with a 1.15 ERA.

In 2015, Kyle began the season with Grand Junction and progressed to the Modesto Nuts, where he delivered a 4.76 ERA. He joined the Hartford Yard Goats in 2016, securing an 11–10 record with a 3.89 ERA by playing across two clubs – Yard Goats and the Albuquerque Isotopes.

Kyle’s MLB debut came in 2017 with the Rockies against the Los Angeles Dodgers. His debut performance earned him his first win and a memorable first major league hit. The same game marked the first time in 51 years that a starting pitcher debuted in his home state. Additionally, he hit his first major league home run against Cincinnati Reds’ pitcher Bronson Arroyo.

Kyle’s career trajectory moved upwards with an 11–11 record in the 2017 season, culminating in a breakout season in 2018, breaking the franchise record for the single season ERA at 2.84. He even played the 2018 National League Wild Card Game, marking his name as the Rockies’ first pitcher to maintain a scoreless start in a postseason game.

Despite facing a demotion to Triple-A in 2019 for going 2–6 with a 7.13 ERA through 12 starts, he managed a comeback. In 2020, he showed resilience with a 2–3 record and a 4.33 ERA in 13 starts, leading the NL with 9 quality starts and topping the MLB with 15 induced double plays.

Freeland’s injured list phase began in 2021, and he missed the initial part of the season. Still, he ended with a 7–8 record, namely in the 23 starts he played. He struck out 105 batters in 120+2⁄3 innings.

In 2022, the Rockies assigned Kyle as their starting pitcher for the Opening Day. Agreeing upon a five-year, $64.5 million contract extension with the Rockies, Kyle posted a 9–11 record with a 4.63 ERA playing 31 starts. However, 2024 sent him to the injured list with a left elbow strain, during which he struggled with an 0–3 record and a 13.21 ERA in his first four starts. Kyle was reinstated in June the same year.
Overall, Kyle Richard Freeland’s professional career is an embodiment of challenge, resilience, and determination, making him an inspiring figure for many budding professional baseball players.