UNIVERSITY PARK — State College Spikes outfielder Wes Freeman is leaving the New York-Penn League as a .300 hitter.
Manager Kimera Bartee said after Sunday’s 13-3 loss to Williamsport the Pittsburgh Pirates have promoted Freeman to West Virginia. Freeman went 2-for-4 with a first-inning double in his final appearance.
Freeman’s promotion comes with seven games remaining in the NYPL season. Freeman, a 2008 16th-round draft pick, produced one of best offensive stretches in Spikes’ history, raising his batting average from .169 to .304 in less than six weeks. His batting average was the highest on the team.
Freeman also led the Spikes with six homers, 22 extra-base hits and 25 RBIs in 50 games. He appeared with catcher Samuel Gonzalez in this month’s NY-PL All-Star Game in Lowell, Mass.
“You always want guys that finish strong,” Bartee said. “He’s driving through the finish line. That’s awesome to see a guy getting rewarded with a promotion. We’re happy for him.”
This will be Freeman’s second stop in West Virginia. He hit .155 in 24 games with the Power last season. West Virginia also has seven games remaining in its season.
