New York Yankees: Clint Frazier could shake things up in the Bronx

New York Yankees, Clint Frazier
May 28, 2019; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees left fielder Clint Frazier (77) reacts during an at bat against the San Diego Padres during the seventh inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Yankees called up outfielder Clint Frazier over the weekend. After Giancarlo Stanton landed on the 10-day IL with a left hamstring injury, fans were expecting to see Frazier land on the roster. He is not going to be new to the MLB. Clint has been in this position before and has been very good at the major league level. However, the Yankees have a lot of good players in the outfield. 

How could Frazier shake things up in the future?

We all know that Stanton is not an option anymore after suffering a grade-1 hamstring injury. With that being said, the Yankees are down to Judge Hicks, Gardner, Andujar, Tauchman, and Frazier in the outfield. Judge is the best all-around player on the Yankees and is going to be an everyday starter for the rest of his career. Hicks has been on a little slump lately but is very capable of getting hot for a long period of time. Tauchman has told every fan that last season was not a fluke and has been off to a fantastic start in 2020. Gardner is the only one that I think Frazier could outplay. He has been with the Yankees for the longest out of anyone on the Yankees right now but seems to be slowing down quite a bit.

In the last two seasons, Gardner has been on one-year deals and has made the point that this might be his last year. When COVID-19 hit the MLB and delayed the start of the season, Gardner was really pushing for a 2020 season because he thought it could be his last. 

With Clint Frazier getting yet another chance to become a full-time player, this might be the season we finally see the veteran we all know and love leave the Bronx. Brett Gardner has more experience in the big leagues and is a way better fielder. However, if the Yankees weren’t thinking of Clint Frazier as a potential starter in the future, wouldn’t they have just pulled up Andujar instead? Andujar is learning the outfield and can play there for a game or two. Plus, Aaron Boone has shown that he trusts Andujar way more than Frazier, considering he is trying to figure out ways to make Andujar a more versatile player. You could make the argument that in a full season, Andujar is a better overall player.

What will the Yankees do with Frazier now?

Clint Frazier will probably serve as the DH role for the Yankees. However, I think that Tauchman can fit that position a lot better. He doesn’t have the power that Frazier has, but he has shown that he can get on base at a much higher rate. Plus, he has been on an absolute tear lately hitting wise and has created a permanent roster spot for himself. It’s hard to tell how Aaron Boone views Clint Frazier. There have been a lot of times in which fans have begged for New York to call up the young outfielder, and Boone has gone in other directions. 

There are a ton of ways that the Yankees can go with this. We all know that Frazier is very capable of starting on most MLB rosters, but New York has been very hesitant with him. It will all come down to how Frazier performs in the field and in the box. Look to see how the Yankees plan to use the young outfielder and how he responds.