Former Mariners Catcher David Freitas Goes to the KBO

Former Seattle Mariners catcher, David Freitas, is heading over to South Korea for the 2021 season. The 31-year-old catcher and first baseman signed a one-year deal for $550K with $50K in incentives.

Freitas was with the Brewers organization but did not appear in any MLB games during the 2020 season. The former 15th round pick by the Nationals will join the Kiwoom Heroes who finished 80-63 last year.

The Heroes have been a better team as of late, and have made the playoffs in three consecutive years. The Heroes actually made it to the Korean Series Championship in 2019, but got swept by the Doosan Bears.

David Freitas’ Mariners and MLB career

David had a short career with the Mariners and wasn’t much else than a short term filler. He played 37 games for Seattle and was with the team in 2018 and part of 2019 until he was traded to the Brewers.

He hit .211 in a Seattle uniform with a -0.1 offensive WAR and 0.1 defensive WAR.

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Yes, it is not all that impressive and you won’t find much else in other years. In 2017, he hit .235 for the Braves and hit .077 after joining the Brewers in 2019. Freitas owns a -0.5 career WAR.

Although I will say, Freitas had some incredible minor league numbers. After being drafted by the Nationals, he immediately made an impact at the Single-A level. He hit .307 in his first professional season.

Then in 2011, he batted .288 with 13 home runs and 73 RBIs.

He continued his hot hitting all the way up to Triple-A while playing for all kinds of organizations. Freitas started with the Nationals, went to Oakland, then to Baltimore, to Chicago, Atlanta, Seattle, and finally Milwaukee.

Over his 10 years in the minor leagues, he has a .289 average, .372 OBP, and .438 slugging percentage. Also, Freitas hit 73 home runs, and drove in 440 runs. Quite amazing right?

In his most recent pro-season (2019 with Milwaukee’s Triple-A team), he batted .387, hit 12 home runs and drove in 76 RBIs. Although he didn’t hit well at the big league level, Freitas has the talent to knock around minor league pitchers.

That’s what the Kiwoom Heroes must have seen, and hope that he can translate his minor league talent to the KBO.

We have seen several former Mariners players go to South Korea and find success, maybe Freitas will be another one?