DENVER -- When you ask Kyle Freeland's teammates to define his strongest trait, one specific adjective transcends the Rockies' clubhouse.
"It's his competitiveness. First and foremost. It predicates everything else," catcher Chris Iannetta said.
"I love how competitive he is. ... He's very hard-nosed, very intense when he's out on the mound. It serves him well," outfielder Matt Holliday echoed.
"He's ultracompetitve and he feels that, even if his stuff isn't there," third baseman Nolan Arenado added.
The reason Freeland has snuck into potential National League Cy Young Award consideration in just his second big league season is his competitive mentality.