Clint Frazier
(Michael Owens / AP Photo)

Clint Frazier is showing signs of extremely strong mental fortitude during his time in the New York Yankees’ doghouse.

Aaron Case

When the New York Yankees demoted Clint Frazier, he had every reason to sulk. However, his recent comments to New York Times reporter James Wagner indicate he’s taking the high road.

“I can’t be mad about my situation,” he told Wagner. “Ultimately, I put myself here.”

Frazier is referring to his well-documented defensive woes during his time with the Yanks in 2019. The youngster flubbed play after play in the outfield, sadly overshadowing a breakout season at the plate.

He compiled an impressive .843 OPS in 53 games with New York, slashing .283/.330/.513 in his longest MLB stint to date. The former fifth-overall draft pick contributed 11 home runs and 34 RBIs to the Yankees, while hitting .375 with runners in scoring position.

Still, when the Yankees traded for Edwin Encarnacion in June, they booted Frazier to the triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. Despite injuries to a few Yankees bats since then, he has yet to return to the Bronx.

In fact, it’s a minor miracle that he survived the 2019 trade deadline as a member of the Yankees organization. Many believed he would serve as a centerpiece in a deal for Yankees rotation assistance.

Frazier’s comments are encouraging to those who doubt his maturity.

He caused a stir when he refused to talk to the media following his defensive debacle in an Aug. 2 loss to the Boston Red Sox. Then, when he was banished to triple-A, he let his emotions show:

He’s made the best of his situation, though, putting on a defensive clinic in a recent minor-league contest:

Unfortunately for Frazier, there seems to be no room for him on the Yankees right now, regardless of how much maturity he demonstrates. But he’ll certainly receive another chance.

Whether that chance comes in pinstripes or some other club’s duds remains to be seen.


Freelance editor and writer, and full-time Yankees fan. Originally from Monticello, NY, but now lives in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.