Pelicans Heyward, Freeman among Braves' top prospects

The Atlanta Braves could use a couple more young sluggers in their slumping lineup these days.

Help might soon be on the way in the form of 19-year old prospects Jason Heyward and Freddie Freeman.

But for now, the two Myrtle Beach Pelicans teammates are trying to soak up as much as they can in their journey to the majors.

“We are here and we’ve still got to perform to get (to the majors),” Freeman said Wednesday. “We talk about it, but we talk more about right now and bettering ourselves right now.”

Heyward is a sweet-swinging right fielder who is already drawing comparisons to some of the game’s all-time greats. Freeman is a hard-hitting first baseman with Gold Glove potential.

Together, the two have given their organization and its fans great hope for the future.

“Heyward reminds me of Darryl Strawberry,” Pelicans manager Rocket Wheeler said. “Freddie is probably like a Mark Grace. Pure swing. Grace had some pop, but Freddie is probably going to come into a little bit more.”

After tearing up the South Atlantic League for the Low-A Rome Braves in 2008, the two left-handed boppers are still feeling out the High-A Carolina League. They’ve both battled through some pesky injuries this season and experienced some struggles at the plate, but its something neither seems concerned about.

They’re just trying to learn as much as possible right now.

“It’s still early,” said Heyward, who like Freeman is in only his second year as a professional. “I’m having a great time, and I just look forward to the rest of the season. There’s nothing but positive things in front of me.”

Both agree that one of the biggest adjustments they’ve had to make this season is adapting to the Carolina League’s larger strike zone.

“It’s hard, especially when you come from big league camp,” Freeman said. “The strike zone with the major league umpires is so small and you develop that there for a month (in spring training) and then it’s just so much bigger here. It’s hard to get comfortable because you don’t know if they’re going to call a strike or a ball.”

The 6-foot-4, 220-pound Heyward was recently ranked the No. 5 overall prospect by Baseball America. He was named the SAL’s top prospect last year after hitting .323 with 44 extra base hits (11 home runs) and only 74 strikeouts in 449 at-bats at Rome.

Before Wednesday, he was batting .275 with nine extra base hits (three home runs), 10 RBIs, 11 runs scored and 14 strikeouts in 69 at bats this season for the Pelicans.

Heyward missed seven games with a right hip flexor injury and returned to the lineup as a designated hitter May 3. He was back in right field Wednesday night for the first time since April 26.

“I’m feeling good. It’s early in the season, and I didn’t want to come back too fast,” Heyward said. “I feel fine.”

The 6-foot-5, 220-pound Freeman, the Braves’ No. 5 prospect according to Baseball America, was named the organization’s minor league player of the year last season after batting .316 with 58 extra base hits (18 home runs), 95 RBIs and a .521 slugging percentage (second-best in the SAL) at Rome.

He also has suffered through a variety of injuries this season, from a pulled muscle in his side to a sore shin. He is hitting .229 with nine extra base hits (four home runs) and 15 RBIs in 83 at bats.

Heyward, who grew up outside of Atlanta, and Freeman, an Orange County, Calif., native, have come up together through the Braves system. In fact, they met and became friends as 16-year olds when they were both selected to play in the Aflac All-American game in San Diego.

They were both pleasantly surprised when the Braves selected them in the 2007 draft, Heyward in the first round (14th overall) and Freeman in the second (78th overall).

Since then, they’ve been practically inseparable. They share an apartment in Myrtle Beach and are roommates on the road.

They’ve shared in each other’s triumphs and been there during the dry spells.

“It’s good to have somebody like that who can relate to how you’re feeling,” Heyward said. “It’s a lot of fun as well to have a close friend like that.”

They experienced their first major league spring training together this year. Both drew rave reviews from the Braves coaching staff.

Heyward batted .300 with two home runs in 40 at bats with the major league club. Freeman had a home run and nine RBIs in 42 at bats.

“They just play the game,” Braves hitting coach Terry Pendleton told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution back in March. “It’s not about ‘me.’ It’s about playing the game. Down here, they’ve already shown they will move the runner over, do what it takes. They get hits, too. But they do what they’re supposed to do. It’s good to see 19-year olds who get that.”

If they follow the paths of other recent top prospects from the Carolina League, they could find themselves in the majors soon.

Take the examples of Elvis Andrus and Jordan Schafer. Two seasons ago, they were starting for the Pelicans. Today, Andrus is the Texas Rangers starting shortstop and Schafer is starting in center field for the Braves.

Heyward and Freeman could be next in line. The Braves, who rank near the bottom of the National League in runs and home runs could certainly use the help.

“These guys are closer to the big leagues than they think,” Wheeler said. “They just have to go through their at bats and game situations and gain the experience, and then who knows? The doors are open.”