If you hear the names Frazier and Newman, you might think of a couple shows from the 1990s NBC television schedule (yes, I know the great sitcom’s spelled “Frasier”). In this case, though, we’re talking about the Pirates’ modern-day middle infield. Although the team looks as if it’s a ways away from returning to contention, it does seem to have a promising second base-shortstop combination in Adam Frazier and Kevin Newman. They’re two of the reasons why all hope isn’t lost for a franchise that has cratered in recent years after it went to the playoffs in each season from 2013-15.
Looking back to 2013, Frazier was a sixth-round pick (that means he wouldn’t have been selected this year) who topped out as Baseball America’s 27th-ranked Pirates prospect after the 2015 campaign. As BA noted then, Frazier somehow went three seasons at Mississippi State without hitting a home run, but he has since shown more pop in the majors. Last season was his second straight 10-HR showing, which isn’t saying much in such a power-happy era, but he has still been a roughly average offensive performer since debuting in 2016. He’s the owner of a respectable lifetime .279/.342/.420 line and a 103 wRC+ across 1,574 plate appearances, and he managed a decent fWAR of 2.2 in 608 PA last year. And while Frazier’s penciled in as the Pirates’ second baseman, he’s versatile enough to move around the diamond if they find a better option there. The 28-year-old has logged a substantial amount of time in the outfield, where he has played all three spots, and has seen a bit of action at shortstop and third base.
Newman, 26, has also shown off a good amount of versatility, having lined up at both middle infield positions, third and in left since he got to the majors in 2018. The majority of Newman’s work has come at short, though, and that’s a position he has on lockdown – at least, until rising prospect Oneil Cruz gets to MLB.
Even if Cruz does reach the league sometime soon and bump Newman off short, the club may still have a keeper in the latter. A first-round pick in 2015 and a former top 100 prospect, Newman impressed in his first full season in 2019 with 2.4 fWAR and a .308/.353/.446 line with 12 homers and 16 steals in 531 PA. Newman doesn’t hit the ball that hard or bring a lot of power to the table, but he’s a fast runner who consistently makes contact. Those factors make him a good candidate to continue posting high averages. Just four hitters outdid Newman’s strikeout percentage of 11.7 last season, and only three bettered his 87 percent contact rate.
Frazier and Newman aren’t exactly exciting players, but they could make for a nice, inexpensive duo for the Pirates going forward. They’ll combine for less than $3.5MM this year, which is important for a low-budget Pirates team that will put a dirt-cheap roster on the field if a season does happen. Of the two, though, Newman seems more likely to stick around for longer, considering he has five years of control left to Frazier’s three. The Pirates haven’t been shy about selling off players with dwindling team control, but perhaps that will change with new general manager Ben Cherington at the helm. In the meantime, the hope for Pittsburgh is that Frazier and Newman will continue as the effective, low-cost performers they’ve been so far.
The link says oneil Cruz is 6’7″…..I doubt he can seriously stick at shortstop or 3B being that tall. Corner OF or 1B could be his final landing spot. Even if he has the speed to play ss, 3B,2B his height will definitely be an issue. Could have a lot of range in the OF though.
Ripkin was the tallest as ever at 6′ 4″ so who knows. Dave Kingman played some 3B at 6’6″ but also saw a lot of time at 1B and OF.
I think he’s gonna end up at right field, but definitley not first base. Dude has an 80 grade arm. Huge waste to put that at first base.
Most scouts think he can stick a short. They have referred to him as a unicorn because of his height but doesn’t mean he can’t play short.
*Some* scouts. It seems pretty split on whether or not he will stay at SS. But I don’t think you can claim most.
The issue isn’t height, but it is how long he can maintain lateral movement with those long limbs.
Given the pirates depth at infield prospects, he will most likely be a corner OFer to utilize his sprint speed and arm strength.
Troy Glaus was about 6’6” wasn’t he?
Kris Bryant is 6’5” and plays third just fine, I don’t see an extra inch or two being a big issue.
Around there. But he had stellar season in 2000 defensively but then his defense just cratered according to fangraphs. Maybe injury related idk though.
Troy Glaus was an imposing dude. 6’5 240.
height isnt an issue in sports despite what some can say. they said Kyler was too short and he won Offensive Rookie of the Year. no reason you cant have a tall SS.
You can be good at something despite your height, but to say it isn’t an issue is wrong. Kyler was good despite his height. There are several reasons why tall SS wont be as good as shorter SS, but that doesn’t mean a tall SS isn’t possible, just that he has to make up for what he loses with his height in other places.
Height is most definitely an issue. How many MLB players have been taller than 6’6”? How many position players? How many are shorter than 5’10”? Not many. Outliers like Altuve don’t change the general fact that it matters. A 6’7” short-stop? Rarely will that work out. Height isn’t an issue in sports? Is the NBA not a sport?
For every Drew Brees, Russel Wilson, and Kyler Murray
You have Troy Smith, Seneca Wallace, Rex Grossman, Pat White, Kellen Moore, Rodney Peete.
There’s a lot more guys who didn’t make it than did being under 6’2″
Citing one or two who did make it doesn’t nullify the 10s even 100s who didn’t make it over the years.
How about we start listing the 6’5 QBS who didn’t make it either??
Your Brandon Weeden’s, Brock Osweiler, Paxton Lynch’s of the world!!
The NFL placed an over emphasis on height for way too long! The short mobile QB is now an option
You are right. Arguing over height and who is going to make it as a good or great quarterback is really silly. Onside ring how many QB come into the league every year and how many actually are really godd most never about to anything. Talent trumps everything.
I’m a big fan of most of the guys on the Pirates, and I think they are a REALLY underrated team. Yes, they pitch like it’s 1980, but they have some really good young talent. Frazier, Newman, Reynolds, Hayes, Cruz, and Bell will make up the young wave the pirates have coming, go spend some of that illustrious cap space, and in 2 years you should have a contender.
Hopefully that pitching philosophy left along with Ray Searage. Excited to see what Musgrove and Archer do with a younger, progressive pitching coach.
Contender for what exactly, certainly not the post season
In two years Bell and maybe Frazier are probably gone but the Pirates have some very good young players in Reynolds, Newman, Keller and hopefully both Tucker and Hayes. It would be awesome if in 2022 the starting infield was Will Craig at first, Newman at second, Tucker at short and Hayes at third and they all produce enough offensively to stay in the lineup everyday. The infield defense would be outstanding and they were all top 35ish picks. That said they definitely need a lot of pitchers, especially considering that Archer, Musgrove, Taillon, and Williams’ contracts are all done in the next 2-3 years.
maybe they wolnt mess this one up
narrator: they will
Other narrator: what a putz
Pittsburgh sucks.
Nuh-uh. You suck.
2021 Bucs lineup: C/Stallings, 1B/Bell, 2B/Newman, 3B/Hayes, SS/Tucker, LF/Reynolds, CF/Frazier, RF/Polanco & Craig. Bench: RF platoon, Kramer, Martin, a catcher, & someone (Osuna, Moran, or a low cost FA, maybe Walker comes back to mentor).
Cruz will be moved to RF to eventually take over there. Comps to Jose Guillen maybe.
Tucker is not very good
give him a chance wiil ya.?..smh Like how mlb abs does the kid actually have?
…………….
That doesn’t look like a very good team to me
All great teams have a “someone” on their roster.
Enough with the Walker coming back talk.
Yeah, the real deal is the two Kevins: Kramer and Newman. (Yada yada yada.)
I see what you did there.
The team is like the 1960s Pirates lumber jacks team. Power deprived, average hitting team. Hard to believe they will win a World Series in this modern era though
What do they do with Tucker ? CF?
Toss salad and scrambled eggs.
And yet they were in significant trade discussions this winter regarding Frazier. I could see them moving Frazier and replacing him with a cheaper, younger option (Cole Tucker).
When it gets going again hope they keep beer league dh Out! If they don’t I guess 4th outfielder will be added next.
Newman looks somewhat promising, mostly because decent hitters who can hold down short seem to be uncommon these days. Frazier? A league average player. Nothing to get excited about. I don’t see a good future for the Pirates unless and until ownership changes it’s philosophy.
Hello Newman
Enjoy sack lunch
Ah man! We missing the Death Blow!
No mention of Tucker, Kramer or Hayes. The pirates have certainly built up depth( even Llover they just traded for) that some of will pan out. Let’s hope the pitching does as well. I can definitely see this team hitting a stride all at once in a year or two for a couple years of strong runs. Trade off a few more pieces like Archer, Kela and if Craig, Martin or someone else comes through; trade very high on Bell for pitching and or catching.
I am curious to see now how cutting out minor leagues and minimizing the draft to only 5 rounds (while allowing all remaining players to sign freely with any team for only 20k) effects teams. Will it help or hurt small markets such as Pittsburgh. These kids can essentially pick their team but for such a minimal price that many will choose to stay in school. Also, with minor leagues being taken away, where will some of the kids play. There is a lot to bbe Mindful of and hopefully much of this makes a new normal with a salary floor and cap with equality
Tucker has excellent d. But his bat has serious flaws which might not be fixable. If he can then Newman will slide to 2b.
As for Cruz he’s got an excellent chance at sticking at SS, defense is fantastic at SS and his arm is an absolute cannon. He can certainly make the plays. He has some swing and miss in his game that needs to be adjusted but the power is for real. If you are going to move him off SS to the OF then you better already have an elite SS and 3B