The Rangers have released corner outfielder Clint Frazier from his minor league contract, tweets Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News. Kennedi Landry of MLB.com indicates it was a mutual decision between player and team (Twitter link).
Frazier had signed the non-roster deal shortly before the start of Spring Training. He got a long run in exhibition play, taking 47 at-bats over 21 games. Frazier hit .234/.308/.426 with a pair of home runs, five walks and 16 strikeouts. That wasn’t enough to secure a big league job out of camp. The 28-year-old started the season with Triple-A Round Rock, appearing in 15 games. Frazier hit .250/.350/.442 with a lone home run over 62 trips to the plate for the Express.
The former fifth overall draftee now heads back to the open market in search of a new landing spot. Frazier is looking to get back to the bigs for what’d be a seventh straight year. He spent the first five seasons of his career in the Bronx, combining for a .239/.327/.434 line in a little more than 800 plate appearances. Frazier was released over the 2021-22 offseason and hooked on with the Cubs on a one-year contract. He only played in 19 MLB games with Chicago before being designated for assignment and outrighted off the roster.
Frazier is coming off consecutive subpar seasons. He’d looked like a potential middle-of-the-order bat at times with the Yankees early in his career, drawing plenty of walks and flashing the plus power that once made him a top-tier prospect. His consistency was impacted both by lofty strikeout rates and various injury concerns, particularly recurring issues with concussion-like symptoms. That early-career production should land Frazier another minor league opportunity elsewhere.
The Rangers have used a rotation throughout left field. Travis Jankowski, Bubba Thompson, Josh H. Smith, Robbie Grossman and Ezequiel Durán have all tallied between 10 and 20 plate appearances at the position. It’s been a predictable problem area, as that collection of players has combined to hit only .176/.272/.221 while manning the position.
Goku the Knowledgable One
I remember when this move wouldve been relevant
YourDreamGM
Still is. Pirates already have Andujar. Now they can have Frazier as well. Trade them both at deadline for Ohtani. Those 2 can get any player in trade.
Goku the Knowledgable One
I’m not sure if that’s supposed to be funny or what?
but pirates don’t have Andrujar anymore.
YourDreamGM
Where’s Andrujar?
Goku the Knowledgable One
OK he’s in AAA.. I didn’t get your Yankees joke at first , all good on both fronts
YourDreamGM
I grew up in NY. Entire family are Yankees fans. Full disclosure I used to be too. Unless you interact with NY fans you wouldn’t get it. I get that you get it. But for others any trade with NY in a 5 year span you either got Frazier Andujar or Smith Davis. Some generous fans would throw in a non top 200 prospect. Not supposed to be funny. Just don’t miss a opportunity to remind fans how ridiculous they are. Most fans are. NY just takes it up a few notches. Trying to educate.
Mikenmn
Most team’s fans overrate their prospect–you can see these in the trade offers on the chats-“take my castoffs for your very best, and throw in their salaries as well–who says no?”. But, having been a Yankee fan for an extremely long time, I’d say a lot of us would like to see the team succeed with homegrown talent. We’d rather buy only what’s absolutely necessary. Frazier happens to be a sad story, because of the head injury.
YourDreamGM
Absolutely. Few have strong baseball knowledge and even then it’s hard to be objective. You can’t reason with most people. Why can’t they at least use a trade simulator though? Get somewhat close at least.
I love teams spending $. Just spend wisely. Or not. If every team didn’t waste $ or trade prospects, small market teams would be irrelevant.
DoubleStix
You WERE a fan of the Yankees then switched to another team? Who switches allegiance to another team from ANY team? Even the “dreaded” Yankees… You are the worst.
slidepiece
Tool
Gwynning's Anal Lover
The Pirates did have him briefly at one point. He was picked up by the Pirates after the Yankees DFA’d him, but never played a game in their system.
hebrewhammer
Actually, he did play in about 10 games for the Bucs late last season and is now on their AAA squad, but not on 40 man roster. The did sign him to a one year contract for about $1.5 million with the idea that no team would grab him when DFAd, which proved accurate. If he can – questionable – do some things in AAA and if Bucs need a RH bat during season due to injury, trade, or poor production by another, he’s a relatively cheap lottery ticket option.
Gwynning's Anal Lover
Just for sanity sake, where are the 10 plate appearances recorded? I thought he was in a few minor league games, but couldn’t remember. When I looked at BR, it didn’t have any listed.
Finlander
Yankees should sign him.
CaptainJudge99
He’s probably better then Hicks at this point, so I’m game with it. Gotta love a Jackson!
solaris602
Frazier’s become such a legend in the Yankees’ system they should just sign him to a long term minors deal until he reaches retirement. Some people find their niche in life, and Frazier has his in Scranton.
RyanD44
But his bat speed..
CravenMoorehead
“LEGENDARY BAT SPEED”
Brian “McGuire” Cashman lolz
CaptainJudge99
Let’s face the facts this man has never been the same after crashing in to that outfield wall. Who really knows what that concussion really did to him.
uvmfiji
I remember way back in the day when he was Jackson
CravenMoorehead
I remember when Clint “joked” about wanting #7 in Yankee pinstripes
SweetBabyRayKingsThickThighs
Next stop KBO
PutPeteinthehall
Exactly my thoughts
uvmfiji
I remember long ago when he was Jackson
JayRyder
Giants – They get everyone.
User 3921286289
Old friend Clint Frazier, in search of greener pastures.
I guess the ole switcheroo of going by Jackson didn’t fool any front offices into thinking this Frazier kid was any good. Heh.
13Morgs13
I remember when Yankees fans thought he was the 2nd coming
YourDreamGM
Yeah way back in the good days of 2021.
utah cornelius
Try 2019. Just because he was on the team in 2021 doesn’t mean any of the fans thought he was any good by then. He batted .185 in 2021.
YourDreamGM
I was alive for 2020 2021 and remember. True fans didn’t think Frazier was good enough for the Yankees but still thought he was good enough for other teams. Yankees fans were still offering Andujar for Reynolds weeks before he got dfa. I even told them the Pirates will get him when they dfa him. Articles comment sections are still available for anyone to see.
Tigers3232
So many false hopes of players based off 2019 production or shortened 2020 production. Frazier one of them.
Dorothy_Mantooth
And Volpe is next in line. Too much pressure in NY for their prospects to over achieve.
larkraxm
Unless he can be like Judge and become a productive player. Its not for everyone. That is for sure.
CaptainJudge99
@Dorothy- No Volpe will be fine, I feel the Yankees just rushed him a little too early. I would of brought him up after the All-Star break. The kid might not be a star, but can definitely be a solid player playing shortstop or 2nd. I still feel like he will playing 2nd eventually unless Peraza is traded somewhere. We’ll see.
CaptainJudge99
He was the 2nd coming until he crashed in to that wall actually.
Tigers3232
2nd coming based off what? 12 HRs in 250 ABs in juiced ball year not overly impressive. Only one season in minors did he hit for decent average. Just do not see what there was to be overly optimistic with him.
CaptainJudge99
If he is healthy he is definitely worth taking a flier on, especially on a minor league contract for any team. There wouldn’t be anything to lose in doing so.
Tigers3232
Taking a flier on a minor league deal is one thing, I don’t ever frown upon teams doing so. I just don’t see how he can b viewed as hitting a will. There’s nothing statistically that he has excelled at in MiLB or MLB to point to and say he has fallen off. The only thing one can really point to is that he was once a high 1st rd pick, which in baseball is not really indicative to success like in NFL or NBA.
denny816
Paging Rick Hahn. Exactly the type of dumpster diving move the White Sox love.
CravenMoorehead
Jackson better start learning how to say “thank you” in Korean 🙂
CravenMoorehead
By the way it’s 고마워요 (gomawoyo) 🙂
braveshomer
Yep…and he’ll still make more money than most of us commenting on here playing a game most love, but now he just has to do it traveling the world too….Sucks to be him smh
LarsAnderson
Good one, smh.
CravenMoorehead
Found Frazier’s burner account. Very clever using a Braves related name to reduce suspicion.
(By the way you have a wonderful sneaker collection from what I’ve seen on social media, Jackson)
DCartrow
Or “sorry guys” in Korean
CravenMoorehead
Hahahahaha
LordD99
Ready to give him a shot again in LF for the Yankees. Maybe not. 🙂
CravenMoorehead
“Don’t you put that evil on me, Ricky Bobby! Don’t you put that on us!”
nowheredan
Down goes Frazier. You’re all welcome.
pinstripes17
He can’t be worse than Aaron Hicks, Willie Calhoun, and Frenchy Cordero…
CravenMoorehead
Frenchy Cordero sounds like an adult film star name tbh. 🙂
Gwynning
And Franchy Cordero sounds like an off-brand salad dressing that may or may not be spoiled…
RobM
Pinstripes, this is a valid point!
Dr2022
Maybe the Yankee should take a flyer on him, they are desperate.
CaptainJudge99
I don’t think so but if I was a team like the Tigers or the Reds, why not?
atleastwetried
Probably could get some decent run with the Brewers right now given their various injuries.
Mercenary.Freddie.Freeman
Red Thunder needs a do over.
Unclemike1526
Totally shocked. Stunned actually. Nobody wants a .220 hitting OF anymore.
NoSaint
@Unclemike1526
The Jays would love a 4th OF that could hit like that. Right now they’re using a second baseman and org filler as their 4th.
RobM
Shouldn’t MLBTR be calling him Jackson now?
Viveleempireevil
The moral of this story is that for every Derek Jeter and Mike Trout and Max Scherzer there is a Phil Nevin and a Jo Adell and, yes, a Jackson (Call me Clint) Frazier. Even with the best scouts and mathematicians and prognosticators there is still an inchoate element to drafting ballplayers that is maddeningly subjective and random. So, any club that can consistently identify and cultivate a couple of new, young players every year ( think Rays, Braves. Astros and Dodgers) are really the Masters of the Universe.
hiflew
Why lump in Phil Nevin? He had a 12 year MLB career and over 1000 career hits. Not a Hall of Famer, but hardly a bust either.
TrillionaireTeamOperator
Over under he retires without having a significant comeback in the majors vs he figures things out and is productive enough to get on at least 3 major league full season 40 man rosters w/ at least 200 game appearances at least 2.1 WAR and at least $2.2M in major league roster salaries?
top jimmy
Reds would be a good team to take a chance on him.
capone14
I wish someone would give this kid a real chance at a full season
Unclemike1526
The Iowa Cubs did that last year. He sucked.
toycannon
He might not br very good but he’s gotta be better than AJ Pollock. Grab him, Jerry.
Unclemike1526
Sorry to say you are mistaken Cannon. He stinks. but so does Pollock. They’re the lame and putrid of baseball. these days.
MLB Top 100 Commenter
Yankees are in fourth in division, but I don’t think they’ll be interested
CravenMoorehead
Them boys looking rough thus far. Seeing Sonny Gray and Joey Gallo beat them yesterday probably had Brian Cashman passing out drunk in his wine cellar at 2am.
CaptainJudge99
@Manny- No the Yankees would definitely not be interested in him unless he comes in and begs for a minor league deal, besides there’s bad blood between Mr. Jackson, and the media here in NY.
ArianaGrandSlam
At least he’s got a lot of sneakers at home.
HankAaronDidGreenies
Cashman ruined his career.
HankAaronDidGreenies
Also, stop deadnaming people.
Bright Side
Net gain from trading Miller and Chapman in 2016…
…one year of James Paxton and Gleyber Torres. Yuck.
Bright Side
At least we won’t see Frazier running into walls.
CaptainJudge99
At the time I felt more sorry for the wall.
CaptainJudge99
@Bright Side- What’s so wrong with Gleyber? He’s a bad player? Am I the only fan you likes this guy? Smh. I wouldn’t really mind Torres staying here long term, if Volpe remains at shortstop, and Peraza is eventually traded. Why not? Lmk
top jimmy
The Yanks future middle infield should be Peraza at SS and Volpe at 2B. Peraza is much better defensively than Volpe.
getrealgone2
The comments on here did not disappoint. I’m laughing at work. Thanks guys
Viveleempireevil
When a cat can’t even determine what is his correct first name? He is a lost soul and will never figure out how to thrive in mlb.
*with the possible exception of Mike (call me Giancarlo) Stanton.