Longtime Marlins scout, executive Orrin Freeman dies at 70

Veteran talent evaluator Orrin Freeman, a member of the Marlins organization since its inception, passed away Friday morning due to complications from diabetes. He was 70 years old.

Freeman pitched at the University of Southern California during the early 1970s in the midst of a college baseball dynasty. Rather than pursue a professional playing career, he went into coaching and later scouting with the Yankees (1984-1987) and Expos (1988-1991) before joining the Fish.

As Marlins director of scouting in the 1990s, Freeman was credited with signing successful big leaguers Josh Beckett and Mark Kotsay, among many others. He then transitioned to special assistant to the GM and later senior advisor to player personnel. In 2014, he received Scout of the Year recognition (West Coast Honoree) from the Professional Baseball Scouts Association.

Freeman managed his diabetes since childhood, but his health took a turn for the worse in early 2018. He wasn’t able to return to full-time work after that point.

Those in the baseball industry who crossed paths with Freeman described him as “sweet,” “kind,” “gentle,” and “helpful” when reflecting on his life on social media.