Clint Frazier is looking more and more like trade bait, but New York Yankees boss Hal Steinbrenner seems to be in favor of keeping him.
If you’re a New York Yankees fan who desires to see Clint Frazier in pinstripes long-term, your wish just might come true. Hal Steinbrenner’s statement to the New York Post’s Greg Joyce on Wednesday indicates he’d also like to keep the one known as Wildling:
“I think he’s got a great career ahead of him,” Steinbrenner said. “He’s got a lot of talent. … He’ll be a big part of this team going forward. He certainly has the capability of doing that.”
New York sent Frazier to triple-A on Sunday to make room for newly acquired Edwin Encarnacion and returning teammate Giancarlo Stanton. The demotion fueled rampant speculation that the Bombers will offload Frazier for a starting pitcher.
Steinbrenner’s words directly contradict that line of reasoning, which should make many fans quite happy.
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Before being displaced by the two veteran sluggers, Frazier was in the middle of a breakout year. The 24-year-old outfielder slashed .283/.330/.513 with 11 home runs and 34 RBI in 53 games.
Even more impressive is his clutch factor. With runners in scoring position, Frazier upped his output to .375/.417/.825.
Yankees fans who would like to bid adieu to Frazier are likely focused on his major flaw: horrific defense.
Frazier regularly misplayed balls in right field, committing three errors in 227.2 innings at the position. By comparison, Tim Tebow, who isn’t far removed from being a TV analyst and washed up quarterback, has only committed one error in 349 outfield innings at triple-A this year.
Whatever you think of Frazier’s glove, though, his bat is certainly MLB quality. But for now he’ll have to tear up lower-level pitching with it.
Probably his only ways back to the Bigs before rosters expand in September are via trade or more Yankees injuries.
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