James Free

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #274 prospect in 2019 draft
  Named to the West Coast Conference all-freshman team in 2017, Free has been a three-year starter for Pacific. A switch-hitting catcher listed at 6-foot-2, 205 pounds, Free hits the ball hard and has good raw power, although he needs further refinement both offensive and defensively. At the plate, Free has a tendency to swing and miss, and he struggled last summer in the Cape Cod League, where he hit .187/.227/.297 with a 26 percent strikeout rate. However, this spring Free has had a career year with the Tigers, hitting .335/.412/.541 with a career-low 14.6 percent strikeout rate through 49 games. Teams are split on Free's defensive ability, with some thinking he won't be able to stick behind the plate long term with a below-average arm. Other teams are more optimistic, giving him credit for improving this spring, citing a much-improved caught stealing percentage that approached 60 percent.

• December, 2018 Scouting Report
  Named to the West Coast Conference all-freshman team in 2017, Free has been a three-year starter for Pacific. A switch-hitting catcher listed at 6-foot-2, 205 pounds, Free hits the ball hard and has good raw power, although he needs further refinement both offensive and defensively. At the plate, Free has a tendency to swing and miss, and he struggled last summer in the Cape Cod League, where he hit .187/.227/.297 with a 26 percent strikeout rate. However, this spring Free has had a career year with the Tigers, hitting .335/.412/.541 with a career-low 14.6 percent strikeout rate through 49 games. Teams are split on Free's defensive ability, with some thinking he won't be able to stick behind the plate long term with a below-average arm. Other teams are more optimistic, giving him credit for improving this spring, citing a much-improved caught stealing percentage that approached 60 percent.