The memory for the New York Yankees is still fresh when the 2019 season saw 30 Yankees go on the IL, for 39 total instances. It’s too early to tell but the past two weeks have not been good for the Yankees injury-wise. First slugger Giancarlo Stanton, after a hot start to the season, he pulled a hamstring running the bases at Tropicana Field. He was diagnosed with a grade one hamstring injury. A few days later star Aaron Judge after hitting 9 home runs, pulled a calf muscle that has been diagnosed as a grade 1 calf strain.
In the second game of the Red Sox series AL-leading hitter DJ LeMahieu took an awkward swing and came away with a bruised thumb. He had x-rays that were negative but was sent to the hospital for an MRI. Manager Aaron Boone hopes DJ can go day to day, and not be put on the IL. Hopefully, Aaron Judge can return by the 10-day expiration. But with the poor handling of Yankee injuries that is not a surety. Stanton on the other hand will be out at least two or three weeks.
The New York Yankees with their amazing depth have been able to handle the injury losses with that “next man up” mentality, that brings out the best of the bench and call ups. The Yankees have continued to win, much of that is because of the Yankee call up to replace Aaron Judge. Clint Frazier has made a dramatic statement showing that he belongs in the big leagues.
In his three games, he has been nothing but outstanding. In three games and 11 at-bats, he has 7 hits, 2 multi-run home runs, a batting average of .636, and an OPS off of that charts at 2.121. So, what’s changed. First of all, a new and more mature Clint Frazier showed up at the stadium. He is one of the very few major leaguers that wears a mask, both in the field and while at-bat. He cited that he had a duty to protect his fellow players.
Frazier has always been known for having a quick swing and his ability to get on base, however, his downfall in staying in the majors has been his lack of star-like play in the outfield. However, in the past two seasons that has improved some. Last night, he made an astounding running diving catch in the Yankee win.
Something else has changed with Frazier, and that is his association and friendship with the now-retired New York Yankee catcher Chris Iannetta. Iannetta was on the 40 man earlier, but upon being sent down to the alternate site, the 37-year-old catcher decided to call it a career, and retire rather than be optioned to Scranton. Frazier first met Iannetta at spring training in Tampa. They were also together in summer camp, and at the Washington Series. That’s when Frazier was sent down.
Anyone that has been paying attention has noticed that besides his quick bat and pulling the ball, Frazier is now, for the first time, is hitting the ball to the right field. That is the result of Iannetta’s advice.
“I’ve had a lot of people along the way tell me to hit the ball into right field and I guess the one that really stuck in my head was Chris Iannetta,†Frazier said.
“We had a long time sitting on the bench in Washington where (Iannetta) voiced his opinion on what my swings look like going into right field and how I should make that my focal point,†Frazier said. “It’s not about trying to hit it to right field. It’s about the intent, and that’s exactly what he texted me the other night.â€
Along with Clint Frazier’s natural talent, and possibly the advice of Chris Iannetta, for the Yankees, Frazier is showing the dividends. In a granted small sample, he in the last three games, has the most hits, the highest batting average, and the best on-base percentage. Add to that the fan-favorite multi-run home runs, and you have a player that can go a long way to carrying the Yankees to many wins. They say that is no one man that can carry a team, but if there is one, Clint Frazier is making the statement that he is that man.
When, and if the Yankees regain full lineup strength, the New York Yankees will be hard-pressed to return Frazier to Scranton. The Yankees have gotten a look at what Frazier can do when allowed. This writer believes Frazier will remain with the Yankees through the postseason, and just may be one of the Yankee’s brightest stars.