Frazier: I want to take Gardy's spot
TAMPA — Clint Frazier wasn’t planning on arriving to spring training this early, but he’s done more than enough waiting around lately.
So there he was Wednesday, fielding balls in the outfield at the Yankees’ minor league complex and taking batting practice alongside Gleyber Torres, Luke Voit and Greg Bird during informal workouts.
Frazier was happy to be there, nearly three weeks since he was officially cleared to participate in spring training after a long battle with a concussion, but it was not his only goal.
“I think I gotta go out there and prove to the guys that I’m healthy and show that the guy that’s been there [in left field] for the last 10-plus years [Brett Gardner] is someone I can compete with,” Frazier said. “I want to show that I want to take his spot whenever the time comes, and all respect to Gardy in the world. I love the guy to death and I can say that with a smile on my face because I genuinely mean that. So I’m trying to make sure that the way I’m going about this goal of mine is in a respectful way to him and everyone else that’s going for it.
“I think this is the best chance that I’ve had since my pro career started, and I’m ready to go out there and try to seize it.”
Frazier played just 15 games with the Yankees last season across four separate call-ups. But he was never able to fully shake the symptoms from the concussion he sustained after crashing into a wall during spring training.
The 24-year old has been participating in some baseball activities for a few months, he said, but Wednesday marked his first time taking overhanded batting practice. He had been hitting off a machine and trying to do drills to help his vision, which was affected by the concussion.
“The way that I’ve been training, I feel like I could go into a game right now,” Frazier said, before chuckling and adding, “I don’t know what the results would be.”
In 168 major league atbats, Frazier has hit .238 with a .724 OPS. In his first month in the big leagues in 2017, he went 24-for-89 (.270) with 13 of his hits going for extra bases.
“I have to go up there and make the most of every opportunity I have,” Frazier said. “So that’s why I’m down here early right now, trying to show everyone that I’m all in and I’m ready to go out there and try to win a spot.”
The opportunity may be there for Frazier’s taking, but it will be a crowded outfield battle. Aaron Judge and Aaron Hicks are locked into right field and center field, with Giancarlo Stanton in line to get some reps when he isn’t the designated hitter. The 35-year-old Gardner, who re-signed on a one-year deal, ceded some starts late last season to Andrew McCutchen, and Jacoby Ellsbury also looms as an option if he, too, can stay healthy.
“Gardy’s done such a good job of making me feel comfortable out there because ultimately, everyone is coming for someone else’s job,” Frazier said. “I’m just happy to be able to be playing the game again.”