Yankees: Clint Frazier is a star in the making

Ever since the Yankees traded away Andrew Miller to the Indians in exchange for prospects, Bronx Bomber fans have pondered the potential of Clint Frazier. After a so-so 2017, multiple DL-stints, some fans think he is a bust but is he?

First of all, how could a 23-year-old outfielder with 40 MLB games under his belt be a bust? Clint Frazier was regarded as one of the Yankees highly ranked prospects for a reason. Here’s what MLB.com’s scouting team had to say about him back in 2016:

"Frazier’s bat speed and raw power are among the best in the Minor Leagues and suggest the ceiling of an All-Star.Frazier has solid speed and is a capable center fielder. He’s the best equipped of New York’s top outfield prospects to play center, though he also has a strong arm and easily could shift over to right field if needed."

I will admit those that oppose Frazier do indeed have some major points. Frazier is not the prospect that Gleyber Torres is because he is not a complete hitter, yet.

Related Story: Yankees rookie Gleyber Torres doing all he can to outshine Shohei Ohtani

Why Frazier is not a complete hitter

There are several reasons why Frazier is not the hitter scouts envision him to be. I think most of his issues stem from his inconsistency as a disciplined hitter.

Lack of plate discipline

In 2017, pitchers exposed Clint as a very aggressive hitter. It’s not uncommon for young ballplayers to swing out of their shoes when they first reach the MLB level. Not to make excuses for the kid, but I think that’s what happened to him.

According to Fangraphs, his highest walk-percentage in the minors was 11.6% with the 2017 Yankees Triple-A affiliate, and in 2015 with the Indians Single-A club. So, we know when Frazier is comfortable, he’s seeing the ball better and is willing to lay off bad pitches.

In comparison to his MLB performance, Frazier wasn’t very good. During his 142 MLB plate appearances last year, Frazier walked a low 4.9% of the time. But again, it’s not out of the ordinary for a rookie to get jumpy early on in his career.

If the young outfielder can ever maintain an 11.6% walk rate in the majors, he would have a higher rate than what players like teammate Didi Gregorius and the Giants Buster Posey have as of right now. Chances are, he eventually will obtain the comfortability needed to adjust his approach.

To get comfortable with major league pitching, Frazier will need reps against MLB pitchers.  While he did earn a short-term promotion because of his hot start in Triple-A, the Yankees have limited active roster space and had to send him down.

Related Story: Yankees had no choice but to send down Clint Frazier

He has trouble with the curve, change, slider, and fastball.

According to Frazier’s performance last year against curveballs (wCB -0.6), changeups (wCH -1.5), sliders (wSL -0.1), and surprisingly fastballs (wFB -2.3), he fell below the league average.

I’d expect a power hitter to whiff at breaking balls, but to fail against fastballs and changeups means Frazier is having a timing issue. That’s why “Red Thunder” is making adjustments to “limit that last-second hitch” in his swing.

NJ.com reported Frazier has been working on refining his “legendary” bat speed that Brian Cashman referred to in the past. Here’s what Frazier had to say about the adjustments he’s making to eliminate that hitch:

"“I feel like that has been what’s caused me to miss balls or swing through some pitches. I still do it, but it’s minute. But if everything is in sync, it’s pretty good.”"

Take a look at Clint Frazier’s swing last year:

Now take a look at his new swing:

Identifying a real difference is hard. Still, I love his swing. It’s one of those cuts you can recognize immediately, call it a signature if you will.

After getting a glimpse of MLB action in 2017, Frazier will have an advantage during his next stint in the majors. I’m confident he will make the necessary adjustments to find a way to excel. Remember, the Yankees haven’t developed the best young talent in the majors by accident.

When evaluating the potential of a star, I feel one must look at more than just a players statistics. One must also look at the intangibles a ballplayer has. And for Clint Frazier, he’s more than just a gamer.

Related Story: Yankees Clint Frazier (Red Thunder): The Maturation of a Young Man

Why he will be a star

Throughout Clint’s entire baseball life, he’s obsessed with baseball. He was awarded the 2012-2013 Gatorade National Player of the Year for three important reasons: Athletic Excellence, Academic Achievement, and Exemplary Character:

He is a blue-chip prospect that every team should want to get their hands on because of his ability, character, and intelligence. We as fans and analysts get caught up in the sport and numbers so much, that we forget these athletes are humans sometimes.

A gamer like Clint is destined to be a star, whether it be in pinstripes or the threads of another team. I hope he stays with the Yankees to take over left or center field sooner rather than later.

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In all likelihood, Brett Gardner’s career will be over soon, and Frazier is the perfect man to replace him. With an already stacked lineup, one can believe he will quickly find success similar to what Gleyber Torres is experiencing batting in the nine-hole.

So let me ask you a question reader, are you convinced Frazier will be a star, or do you believe he will be a bust?