Over the next few weeks RealGMBaseball will be holding our 2014 Major League Baseball ‘Be The GM’ Contest to determine which player would be the best selection to build a franchise around.

The contest, which is being brought to you by the Original Retro Brand, is described and previewed here: RealGM’s 2014 ‘Be The GM’ Contest. You’ll want to check out the link for rules on how to enter to win a $50 Retro Brand gift card and to see the full contest schedule.

Freddie Freeman of the Atlanta Braves and Jose Fernandez of the Miami Marlins are featured in Friday's matchup. Voting will extend through the end of the first round.

The Braves signed Freeman to an eight-year, $135 million extension in February and the 24-year-old has delivered in the months following the announcement. He is hitting .305/.384/.529 through 198 plate appearances this season. The Braves made the long-term commitment to Freeman after a breakout 2013 campaign.

Freeman was a first-time All-Star and finished fifth in the National League MVP voting after posting a .319/.396/.501 slash line with 23 home runs and 109 RBIs. The first baseman, who has hit at least 21 home runs in each of his last three seasons, posted a career-high 5.4 WAR last season.

The baseball world mourned together when Fernandez was lost for the season as he joined the ever-growing list of Tommy John victims. Just 21, the Cuban right-hander has been dominant since making his debut against the New York Mets last April. The reigning National League Rookie of the Year had a 2.19 ERA, 0.979 WHIP and 187 strikeouts in 172.2 innings (28 starts) last season.

Fernandez was off to a good start yet again in 2014, posting a 2.44 ERA, 0.948 WHIP and 70 strikeouts in eight starts (51.2 innings). The Marlins won in five of his eight appearances as they continue to surprise as contenders in the NL East. Fernandez ranked third among NL pitchers in WAR (6.3) and seven overall in his first season. His ERA was higher than only one man -- Clayton Kershaw. 

Vote In This Matchup: Freeman or Fernandez?

Previous Matchups:

May 21: Darvish or Cano?

May 19: Gray or Hernandez?

May 16: Springer or Trout?

May 14: Perez or Gibson?

May 12: Kipnis or Cabrera?

May 9: Lawrie or Sale?

May 7: Tanaka or Longoria?

May 5: Machado or Bogaerts?

Next Matchup: May 26 – Matt Harvey vs. Domonic Brown

Don’t forget to Tweet your pick along with #BeTheGM to be entered to win a $50 Retro Brand gift card.