Frazier has had enough wall talk
CLEARWATER, Fla. — Clint Frazier seemed more comfortable talking about the Titanic T-shirt he was wearing Thursday than his collision with the outfield wall on Tuesday. In fact, Frazier seemed like he would rather talk about anything else than his history with outfield walls.
The Yankees’ starting left fielder said he felt fine after hitting the wall — and seeming momentarily stunned — and was in the lineup again on Thursday as scheduled. He went 1-for-3 in the Yankees’ 6-1 win over the Phillies at BayCare Ballpark.
After a serious concussion in spring 2018 from running into the wall, it’s been a topic that Frazier has had more than enough of.
“I mean, I hit it pretty hard and I was a little caught off guard. I was asked where I was at, obviously, I was on the warning track laying on the ground. So I’m happy that I made it out injury free,” Frazier said. “I’m not really any more susceptible to a concussion than anyone else. Whenever you hit the wall it’s unfortunate, but I tried to make the play and obviously, I didn’t.”
The 2018 concussion forced Frazier to miss half a season and many believe contributed to his struggles in the outfield in 2019, when he was rated among the worst outfielders in baseball.
In 2020, however, Frazier made huge strides with his defense.
Frazier, who made 27 starts in right field and 28 appearances while Aaron Judge was out with a calf injury, transformed himself from a player who cost the Yankees eight runs in 2019 with his defense, to a plus-2 in defensive runs saved last season. Frazier is in the top 69th percentile in Statcasts’ Outs Above Average. In 51 chances in right field in 2020, Frazier made one error.
Not only did he improve his numbers in the outfield, but he’s more in control of himself out there. Aaron Boone said he is better equipped to make plays and avoid the wall. Frazier said it’s a balance of control and being aggressive.
Voit still standing: After missing two games with “knee soreness,” Luke Voit went 1-for-3 as the designated hitter in Thursday’s game. Voit made the last out of the third inning sliding into third and bounced up and walked off the field without a noticeable limp. He ran out a grounder to short in his next at-bat. ... Robinson Chirinos, the veteran catcher who is in camp on a minor league contract, suffered a fractured right wrist when he was hit on the hand with a pitch in Wednesday night’s game. He will consult with a hand specialist this week.