Every season there is at least one ballplayer that puts up phenomenal numbers in a very short period of time. The term is small sample size, and most players are cursed by the term. However, following the course is usually pretty exciting. In many of the cases, the players put up terrific minor league numbers over the course of a few seasons. Some players earn the moniker of 4A for their ability to hover between AAA and the big leagues.

Back in 1978, I replayed the 1977 season via Strat-O-Matic (Strat). It was my first foray into that world, one that I haven’t quite recovered from. Along with ABPA and others, it is a safe place for baseball stat nerds like me.

The aforementioned, Roger Freed, was a statistical freak of nature, a doughy unicorn. The 31-year-old, right-handed hitter, put up amazing numbers in (only) 49 games for the Cardinals batting .398 with 5 homers and 21 RBI in 95 plate appearances. In my mind, Freed reminded me more of Lon Phillips, the character played by Pernell Roberts on a 1971 episode of Hawaii Five O. Roberts is better known for his roles as Trapper John and Adam Cartwright on Bonanza.

He did put up some pretty good power numbers in the minors, but only hit 22 ML homers in 700+ at-bats covering parts of 8 seasons.

Earlier today, a caller to local sports talk show suggested what White Sox OF/1B, Gavin Sheets could accomplish if given 500-600 at-bats. Some players are destined to be role players or halves of platoons. The better managers are able to maximize players’ abilities and manipulate platoons. Editor’s note: check out Mike Easler, Lee Lacy, Bill Robinson, John Milner, John Lowenstein, Gary Roenicke, and Benny Ayala.

Otto Lopez, a 25-year-old infielder, recently acquired by the Giants, may be the next Roger Freed. His last ML game was in 2022, but his career .600 batting average has caught my attention. Of course, his 6 hits in 10 at-bats is an incredibly small sample size. After losing out to the Diamondbacks and Dodgers last season, Giant fans are likely going to extrapolate to the 87th degree.

Back in 1978, the good folks at Strat included a warning, not to play Freed excessively, doing so would distort his numbers and wouldn’t reflect his real impact on the Cardinals. Had he gotten 500 abs, I don’t know if St. Louis would have done any better than 83-79 and 3rd place in the NL East.

At some point during the 2024 season someone is going to burn brightly for 30 or 40 games, but does anyone expect to hear about Roger Freed, or for that matter, Michael Sarrazin?