Frazier Could Present Yanks with a Tough Decision
Not much has gone right for the Yankees in the last month as they have both literally and figuratively limped into the All-Star break. Injuries have piled up and with those injuries so have the losses. In spite of not winning a series since early June against Baltimore, going 0-8-1 in their last nine, they are still well within striking distance of Boston in the AL East. However, they will have a lot of questions to address if they are to compete down the stretch for either a division title or wild card berth.
Can Tanaka pitch consistently like the ace that he is expected to be? Will they get any sort of significant production at first base? Will their young starters, Severino and Montgomery, continue to pitch well? Can CC regain his early season form after his injury? Will the line-up to start to click again when Castro and Holliday return? Is the middle relief good enough to hold leads? So many questions.
However, the Yankees may soon have to ponder another question in a couple of weeks when Aaron Hicks returns from injury. What do we do with Clint Frazier?
Clint Frazier was the centerpiece of the package that the Yankees received in return from Cleveland last year in the Andrew Miller deal. He is a former first round pick with bat speed that GM Brian Cashman once called "legendary". Since making his debut just over a week ago in Houston, Frazier has shown that he belongs at the big league level.
In the seven games since being called up Frazier has gone 7 for 24 for a .292 average. He has also shown good pop with three home runs and eight RBI. None of those home runs was bigger than the walk off job against Brewers All-Star closer Corey Knebel and his upper 90's fastball on Saturday. Frazier showed great poise and a flair for the dramatic in that at bat by taking a tough curve ball before depositing a fastball in the left field stands. Frazier also, impressively tripled both Friday and Saturday.
It's a small sample size to go off of for sure. However, given the success that the Yankees other big prospects have had since coming to the majors (i.e. Judge and Sanchez) there's no reason to think that Frazier can't also sustain his success. If he does then the Yankees may have a tough decision to make when Aaron Hicks is ready to make his return in a couple of weeks.
Of course, it's always possible that Hicks return could be delayed or another regular outfielder could wind up on the DL. This would leave a roster spot open for Frazier with an opportunity for regular at bats.
It seems unlikely that the team would keep five outfielders on the active roster, especially since DH at bats will be limited with the return of Matt Holliday. The most likely scenario one would think is that Frazier would be sent back to AAA Scranton so that he continues to receive regular at bats. It seems unlikely that the Yankees would want him playing sparingly at the big league level behind a glut of veteran outfielders.
However, there might be another possibility. What if the Yankees continue to struggle after the All-Star break? If this is truly a rebuilding year do they look to unload someone like Brett Gardner? Even if the team is still in the race would Brain Cashman kick the tires on a Gardner trade to make room for Frazier? It's an interesting idea to ponder.
No matter what the Yankees decide to do with Frazier the remainder of this season has given us another glimpse at why the team's farm system is so highly regarded. He's just another reason why the future looks bright in the Bronx.
Can Tanaka pitch consistently like the ace that he is expected to be? Will they get any sort of significant production at first base? Will their young starters, Severino and Montgomery, continue to pitch well? Can CC regain his early season form after his injury? Will the line-up to start to click again when Castro and Holliday return? Is the middle relief good enough to hold leads? So many questions.
However, the Yankees may soon have to ponder another question in a couple of weeks when Aaron Hicks returns from injury. What do we do with Clint Frazier?
Clint Frazier was the centerpiece of the package that the Yankees received in return from Cleveland last year in the Andrew Miller deal. He is a former first round pick with bat speed that GM Brian Cashman once called "legendary". Since making his debut just over a week ago in Houston, Frazier has shown that he belongs at the big league level.
In the seven games since being called up Frazier has gone 7 for 24 for a .292 average. He has also shown good pop with three home runs and eight RBI. None of those home runs was bigger than the walk off job against Brewers All-Star closer Corey Knebel and his upper 90's fastball on Saturday. Frazier showed great poise and a flair for the dramatic in that at bat by taking a tough curve ball before depositing a fastball in the left field stands. Frazier also, impressively tripled both Friday and Saturday.
It's a small sample size to go off of for sure. However, given the success that the Yankees other big prospects have had since coming to the majors (i.e. Judge and Sanchez) there's no reason to think that Frazier can't also sustain his success. If he does then the Yankees may have a tough decision to make when Aaron Hicks is ready to make his return in a couple of weeks.
Of course, it's always possible that Hicks return could be delayed or another regular outfielder could wind up on the DL. This would leave a roster spot open for Frazier with an opportunity for regular at bats.
It seems unlikely that the team would keep five outfielders on the active roster, especially since DH at bats will be limited with the return of Matt Holliday. The most likely scenario one would think is that Frazier would be sent back to AAA Scranton so that he continues to receive regular at bats. It seems unlikely that the Yankees would want him playing sparingly at the big league level behind a glut of veteran outfielders.
However, there might be another possibility. What if the Yankees continue to struggle after the All-Star break? If this is truly a rebuilding year do they look to unload someone like Brett Gardner? Even if the team is still in the race would Brain Cashman kick the tires on a Gardner trade to make room for Frazier? It's an interesting idea to ponder.
No matter what the Yankees decide to do with Frazier the remainder of this season has given us another glimpse at why the team's farm system is so highly regarded. He's just another reason why the future looks bright in the Bronx.
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