Yankees reassign Clint Frazier to minor league camp

Suiting up in only 69 games last season after suffering from post-concussion symptoms, Clint Frazier needs time to rediscover his top-prospect potential if he ever wants to do any good for the Yankees.

Prior to the start of Spring Training, Clint Frazier let it be known that he was “respectfully” coming for Brett Garnder’s job. Following a dismal Grapefruit League performance featuring a .130/.208/.217 slash line with 15 strikeouts in 46 at-bats (17 games), the Yankees informed Frazier he was being reassigned to minor league camp and will begin the 2019 season back at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Disappointing for sure, especially when you consider both Aaron Hicks and Jacoby Ellsbury won’t be ready for Opening Day on March 28 versus the Orioles.

However, Frazier was unable to take advantage of Hicks’ open roster spot — and it appears all but certain that the uber-versatile defender Tyler Wade will become the Yanks’ 25th man.

Add in the fact that Wade’s left-handed stick put up a .318/.362/.545 slash with 12 runs scored, seven doubles and one home run — and it’s no surprise that the Yanks chose to send Frazier to the minors to rediscover his potential.

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It simply makes sense for the 24-year-old with “legendary bat speed” to get everyday at-bats and make himself into the player the Yankees believed they were trading for when they acquired him from Cleveland in the blockbuster Andrew Miller deal.

As a fifth outfielder on the major league roster, Frazier would have been lucky to see two games per week — and even that may have only come as a pinch runner or late inning defensive replacement. There’s no doubt at this point his Frazier’s career; a strict bench role would have done more harm than good.

Down at Triple-A, Frazier will ready himself should even more injuries strike the big league club — and hopefully, rebuild his value if a midseason trade presents itself to general manager Brian Cashman.

Frazier wasn’t alone in being reassigned on Friday, as he was followed by pitchers Phillip Diehl, Rex Brothers, Danny Coulombe, Rex Brothers, Drew Hutchinson, infielder Giovanny Urshela and outfielder Billy Burns.

Though some may see this a setback for Frazier, manager Aaron Boone does not — offering some sage words of wisdom for the young outfielder. Per NJ.com:

"“‘Go keep working hard at your craft,’” Boone said he told Frazier. “’You have a chance to be really good in this league for a long time.“Don’t be in a race to, I’ve got to go put up this number this week. Go get really good at your craft and your talent will then follow and carry you.’”"