OSU Baseball: Freeman Continues To Rock The Big 12

For the second time this season, Michael Freeman is the Big 12 pitcher of the week. The 6'8" force is on track to becoming one of the most intimidating left-handers in college baseball.

Freeman is often referred to as Michael Jordan and Randy Johnson, due to the fact that he wears number 23 and his height. "I finally stopped growing and grew into the body, so it's helping out now."

He has learned to adjust to his height, and has been dominating the field. He's 4-0 and has a 1.63 ERA. This past Sunday, he defeated TCU, the number one team in the nation. Of course, it took some work. "Never really felt like Randy Johnson until the end of last year. [I] started dropping my arm slide and getting a lot more movement on the ball. [I'm] still not the most athletic guy out on the field, but [I'm] repeating the motion [and learning] to control my body."

After being part of a championship team at Bishop Kelley, Freeman went JUCO, and then a connection with OSU pitching coach Rob Walton became his ticket to being a Cowboy. “I graduated with his older son, Donnie, in football and baseball,” stated Freeman. “He's the best pitching coach in the nation.”

Walton was flattered with Freeman as well. "I once saw him pitch when he was at Eastern, against Grayson. I think he gave up four homers, and I still liked him. His arm path used to be off, so we got it on line. [He] came out of that slot and the first thing he got was big time movement. [The] ball dropped a foot; it's some wicked stuff."

Freeman didn't see much action last year outside of the Big 12 championship, but has exploded into a Sunday starter for the Pokes. “Before it was just, on him, on him, on him, arm action, change, change, change, now he owns his own delivery," explained Walton.

Now, we'll wait and see if he'll be part of a group that owns the Big 12.