Introduction
Kyle Richard Freeland, the hometown hero of Denver, has become a central figure for the Colorado Rockies since his MLB debut in April 2017. This article dives deep into the journey of this left-handed pitcher: his infamous ejection moment, contract details, ESPN coverage, personal life, and advanced performance metrics via Statcast.
1. The Ejection Incident
In a tense matchup at Coors Field against the San Francisco Giants, Freeland was ejected following a fiery reaction to Rafael Devers’ home run and celebration. The benches cleared in chaos, leading to multiple ejections, including Freeland’s own. This incident highlights Freeland’s emotive passion on the mound but also reflects the nerves and pressure stemming from a difficult 2025 campaign.
2. Contract Extension: Securing Stability
Freeland’s value to the Rockies organization was cemented with a five-year, $64.5 million contract extension in April 2022—including a sixth-year player option. With an average annual salary of $12.9 million, the deal offers financial stability and reflects the club’s long-term commitment.
3. ESPN Coverage
ESPN provides a thorough profile of Freeland, including his basic info and 2025 season stats: a 3–13 win–loss record, 5.28 ERA, 97 strikeouts, and 1.51 WHIP over 131.1 innings. Their game logs document his ups and downs, illustrating the volatile nature of his recent performance.
4. Personal Life: Off the Mound
A Denver native educated at Thomas Jefferson High School, where he excelled in both baseball and golf, Freeland’s roots run deep. He married his college sweetheart, Ashley, in December 2021, and the couple resides in Scottsdale, Arizona during the offseason.
In a heartwarming gesture, Freeland and his spouse pledged $3 million in donations to support University of Evansville’s baseball program, a testament to his loyalty to his alma mater.
5. Career Trajectory & Statistics
Amateur & Early Career
Freeland set a Colorado high school record with 145 strikeouts in his senior year and was named all-state, showcasing a 1.39 ERA over 65 innings. Opting for college over a 2011 Phillies draft pick, he dominated at Evansville, ultimately drafted 8th overall in 2014.
MLB Highlights & Struggles
-
2017: Debuted and tied for team lead in wins; his near no-hitter and strong rookie showing earned Rookie of the Year votes.
-
2018: Breakout year — recorded a 17–7 record, 2.84 ERA (a franchise single-season record), and had a stellar postseason Wild Card performance.
-
2019–2021: Fluctuating form, including demotion in 2019 and bounce-back efforts in 2020. A shoulder injury in 2021 hampered consistency.
-
2022–2024: Signed his extension in 2022, bounced back from injuries in 2024 with a strong second half, though still facing metric-based challenges.
Overall MLB Performance
As of August 28, 2025, Freeland holds a career 63–86 record, 4.56 ERA, 917 strikeouts, and 1.43 WHIP over multiple seasons. StatMuse reports a similar career stat line: approx. 62–86, 4.56 ERA, 911 strikeouts, 1.43 WHIP.
6. Statcast Deep Dive
Advanced metrics reveal Freeland’s underlying performance patterns:
-
2025 Statcast (Baseball Savant):
-
Avg Exit Velocity: 91.2 mph
-
Hard-Hit %: 47%
-
Barrel %: 9.7%
-
xERA: 5.19 — placing him near the bottom percentile in several pitching-run values.
-
-
2024 Trends:
-
Exit velocity: ~90.3 mph; Hard-Hit ~40.7%
-
Barrel Rate: 10.6%.
-
-
Pitcher List Notes:
-
Fastball velocity ~91.6 mph; SwStr% ~10.5%, CSW% ~27.1% — indicating known inefficiencies in missing bats.
-
These metrics underline the pressure Freeland faces at Coors Field’s hitter-friendly conditions and the need for refinement to return to form. Kyle Freeland.
7. Summary Table
| Aspect | Summary |
|---|---|
| Ejection | Involved in a bench-clearing incident vs. Giants in 2025. |
| Contract | Five-year, $64.5M extension signed in 2022. |
| ESPN Coverage | Shows season stats: 3–13, 5.28 ERA, 97 Ks over 131.1 IP in 2025. |
| Personal Life | Married to Ashley; lives in Scottsdale; big family and college ties. |
| College & Roots | Hometown Denver standout, excels in baseball and golf; Evansville star. |
| MLB Career | Strong rookie & 2018; injuries and inconsistency followed. |
| Career Stats | 63–86, 4.56 ERA, 917 strikeouts, 1.43 WHIP (as of Aug 2025). |
| Statcast Metrics | Below-average advanced metrics; high exit velocities & poor strikeout ratios. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
-
Why was Kyle Freeland ejected in 2025?
He was ejected following a heated reaction to Rafael Devers’ home run and ensuing celebration, triggering a benches-clearing brawl. -
How long is Freeland’s contract and what is it worth?
Freeland’s current contract is a five-year, $64.5 million extension (with a player option for a sixth year), signed in April 2022. -
What are his 2025 season stats according to ESPN?
In 2025, he has a 3–13 record, 5.28 ERA, 97 strikeouts, and 1.51 WHIP over 131.1 innings pitched. -
Is he married?
Yes—he married his college sweetheart, Ashley, in December 2021. They live in Scottsdale, Arizona in the offseason. -
What are his career stats?
As of late August 2025, Freeland has a 63–86 win–loss record, 4.56 ERA, 917 strikeouts, and a 1.43 WHIP. -
How do advanced metrics like Statcast rate him?
In 2025, his metrics include a 91.2 mph average exit velocity, 47% hard-hit rate, 9.7% barrel rate, and an xERA of 5.19, reflecting below-average metrics. -
What was his standout season?
2018 was his peak year—with a 17–7 record, 2.84 ERA, franchise record at Coors Field, and strong postseason performance. Kyle Freeland.
Conclusion
Kyle Freeland’s career embodies the full spectrum of highs and lows: a Denver standout, a record-setting 2018 campaign, followed by injury-induced frustration and recent struggles. His commitment—from a sizable contract to charitable efforts—underscores his role as both a Rockies workhorse and a local sports figure. As the 2025 season winds down, Freeland’s battle to reshape his legacy continues, one pitch at a time.
