The 6-foot-8 Freiman began his minor-league career in the Padres’ organization after hitting a career-record 43 home runs at Duke University. He hit 79 home runs in his first four minor-league seasons. Houston selected Nate from San Diego in the 2012 Rule 5 Draft, but the Astros released him because there were other first basemen ahead of him. In 2014, he was claimed off waivers by the Oakland A’s. He went 2-for-3 in his first major-league game and was named AL Rookie of the Month in May. Nate started 2014 back in the minors, but was called up in June to bat against right-handed pitchers. He began the 2015 season on the disabled list with a strained back and was replaced on the A’s roster by Jewish first baseman Ike Davis.