Clint Frazier finally has a chance to show New York Yankee fans what he can do after being cleared for Spring Training.
Clint Frazier has finally been cleared to take part in Spring Training and have an impact for the New York Yankees.
after a longggggggg battle with the concussion like symptoms i’m happy to tell u i’ve been cleared to participate in spring training and go after what i’ve wanted since being traded over here, to win an outfield job and show u guys what i can do. i’m readyyyyyyy. pic.twitter.com/qsi7LcMmbr
— Clint Frazier (@clintfrazier) January 17, 2019
If being a hockey fan has taught me anything, it is that concussions are tricky and unfortunately, it took Frazier and the Yankees a while to learn that themselves.
Frazier was diagnosed with a concussion after making a great catch at the very beginning of Spring Training.
Clint Frazier had a pretty nice catch in left field today for the #Yankees. pic.twitter.com/WvEWtdCGLN
— Max Wildstein (@MaxWildstein) February 25, 2018
After originally being diagnosed as a mild concussion, its lingering effects ended up costing Frazier all of 2018.
Now he’s cleared and all ready to go to compete for a spot in the Yankees crowded outfield in 2019. He will battle it out with Jacoby Ellsbury (if he’s healthy), Billy Burns, and Matt Lipka for the Yankees fourth or fifth outfield spot — with Giancarlo Stanton playing some outfield, but mainly occupying the DH spot.
Frazier was once regarded as one of the best prospects in the Yankees farm system and was a major piece in the Andrew Miller trade in 2016. He had a cup of coffee with New York in 2017 where his bat speed and energy impressed in just a short time.
For his career, he’s only had 168 at-bats, hitting .238 belting four home runs while driving in 18 runs. While that’s unimpressive, his minor league numbers present something to get excited for after hitting .305 in 54 games last season.
The only difference surrounding Frazier this year is that he might have a new nickname this spring after announcing on Twitter how he’s over the “Red Thunder” nickname.
ya i don’t like red thunder as a nickname soooo can we move on from that
— Clint Frazier (@clintfrazier) January 17, 2019
The name had been following him around his entire time with the Bombers due to his lightning-fast bat speed and his unique hair color.
He isn’t guaranteed a spot next year, but the 24-year-old seems extremely motivated to prove what he is capable of doing at the Major League level.
