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TAMPA, Fla. — Clint Frazier needs to be more athletic on the baseball diamond. Which comes as a surprise because he might be one of the best athletes in camp this spring.
Despite that, the New York Yankees outfielder is still trying to figure out how to get the most out of his athleticism.
It’s why he’s changed his stance at both the plate and in the outfield this spring, narrowing his feet placement in both situations. The hope is, is that the changes propel Frazier on to the Yankees’ opening day roster.
“It’s kind of been the theme of spring training, both hitting and defensively, they keep using the terms, ‘Use your athleticism,’” Frazier said. “I guess they feel like at times I might not be as athletic as I can be with some positions I put myself in.”
Defense is something Frazier is paying extra attention to this spring. And a recent afternoon prior to a night game against the Baltimore Orioles was a perfect example of the outfielder’s work ethic.
Frazier was in the first of four groups at batting practice. After Frazier was done, he went out and worked with Yankees outfield instructor Reggie Willits. Batting practice started at 4:10 p.m. Frazier walked off the field at 5:20 p.m.
“I’d call it motivation because it’s something that I’ve been wanting my whole life,” Frazier said of the extra work. “I’ve gotten chances to go up there parts of the last two seasons. I want to call New York my home and if it means staying out there a little bit longer in BP, I’ll do it. And it’s not like it’s hard to get me to stay out there. It’s something I need to do. Any chance you get to get better with Reggie out there is a good opportunity. If my number’s called upon, I want to show them I’m ready to play that position.”
It all started with Frazier’s setup in the outfield. So, the two worked on getting Frazier “as athletic as I can be,” he said.
The outfielder’s setup in the past was more of a squat, with a wider base and a little lower to the ground. Now Willits has Frazier more upright. This will help the 24-year-old’s first step, direction and his reads.
Frazier describe the way he used to play the outfield like “driving a car with the emergency break on sometimes.” Sure, he could still move and had good range, but he wasn’t as smooth and fluid as he wanted to be.
“I’ve been known as a hitter my whole life and I want to be known as a complete player,” Frazier said. “For me to get better at defense is obviously a virtue for myself and the team, and it’s something I take pride in. I haven’t really focused on defense as much because that’s not the sexy part of the game. Everyone has a hitting routine. It’s a matter of me developing a defensive routine.
“It’s just a matter of finding a way to make it me and the ball out there and not forget about the mechanics.”
Frazier’s improvements haven’t gone unnoticed, either.
The outfielder hasn’t made an error this spring and Yankees manager Aaron Boone has picked up on the hard work Frazier’s been putting in with Willits.
“I think he’s constantly growing and working on developing that planned routine — that defensive routine that he has,” Boone said. “I know Reggie’s worked a lot with him on developing that because the reality is he is so athletic. He can really run. The skills are obviously special. It’s about us being able to coach it up, harness it and develop it, but I’ve seen strides of what he’s been able to do.
“He’s another guy you want to see be healthy and go out and have a full season being the guy we think he can be.”
While Frazier’s numbers aren’t there this spring — he’s hitting .140 in 43 at-bats with five RBI — he’s still taking some positives out of his at-bats.
He’s taking walks (four) and has stolen three bases while totalling a tie for the second-most at-bats on the team this spring.
“For me it’s just a matter of showing the guys that I’m back,” Frazier said. “I had a good season last year whenever I got to play and I’m just trying to show them that guy’s still in the tank.”
With a healthy outfield, Frazier might have been the odd man out with the Yankees likely choosing Tyler Wade as the extra outfielder because of his position flexibility. But with starting center fielder Aaron Hicks set to miss the opening series, Frazier’s chances to make the team have increased, and he doesn’t want to let the opportunity slip through his fingers.
“Yeah, I mean it’s unfortunate that he’s going through that, but it sounds like he’s progressing pretty well and I want him out on the field because he’s such a dynamic player,” Frazier said of Hicks. “He’s one of the top five center fielders in the game. We’re all trying to come together for one goal, to win a World Series, but I want to make the opening day roster as well. Things change every day and I’m not sure what it’s going to be like in the end, but I’m just trying to put myself in the best position.”