BRADENTON, Fla. — Todd Frazier leaned casually against the batting cage early Wednesday afternoon, watching teammates take swings and chatting with whomever was waiting to hit.
The veteran’s on-field work was finished for the day, although Frazier — the outgoing type who could befriend a wall — was knee deep in the process of relationship-building, trying to get up to speed as quickly as possible.
If Wednesday served as any indication, it shouldn’t take long.
“Learning names is always the biggest problem for me,” said Frazier, 35. “I just call everybody ‘Big Dog’ until I know everybody’s name, but at the end of the day, it’s baseball. This is my sixth team now, and I’ve had fun with all six teams. I’m starting to have a lot of fun with these guys here.”
As much as the Pirates are doing what’s necessary long-term by stripping this entire thing down to the studs and building from the ground up, it will be hard for them to reach that final destination without someone like Frazier influencing things even a little bit along the way.
No, he’s no longer the guy who hit 40 home runs in 2016 or who made back-to-back All-Star appearances in 2014-15. They don’t need him to be that guy. Frazier may only start against left-handed pitching, but this young Pirates team can learn a great deal from the well-traveled Frazier, who most recently played for the Rangers and Mets in 2020.
“He has a good way about him,” manager Derek Shelton said. “When we were talking to people about signing him, everybody raved about what kind of teammate and person that he was. Nobody had a bad thing to say about him. Any time we can get energy or provide veteran leadership, it’s nice to have.”
This sort of acquisition can definitely be tricky. If the player is more interested in a paycheck or stats than actually influencing younger players, you may have a problem. But if they’ve started to see their experience as a sixth tool, they can potentially prolong a career. If a player can do both, even better.
It remains to be seen which one of those categories will ultimately house Frazier, who had a career-low .684 OPS last season, though the Pirates are certainly hoping it’s the third one. And if they use Frazier the right way, some of his numbers over the past four seasons would indicate that’s definitely possible.
The key for Frazier, he said Wednesday, would be feeling free and easy, something he started to solidify for himself back in 2013. After a conversation with Reds legend Eric Davis, Frazier said he dropped his hands and simplified everything. He also bumped up to a 35-inch bat.
The results were noticeable, with Frazier smacking 19 home runs that season, 29 the next year, then 35, 40 and 27 during the peak of his career. Frazier has since dropped back down to a 34-inch bat, but he still believes plenty of power remains.
“Nowadays, pitching has gotten harder [to hit],” Frazier said. “It has gotten really electrified. If you get a 90-92 mph guy, I tell people, those are the guys who are paying the bills. You’ve got to get those guys. If you don't get those guys, then maybe it's time to hang it up. I’m not there yet.”
One positive thing for Frazier will be playing his home games at PNC Park, where he has traditionally fared very well. In 39 career games there (37 starts), Frazier has a .932 OPS. He’s hit 19 home runs against the Pirates, the most against anyone.
Frazier said it’s as simple as liking the dirt at PNC. Whenever he steps into the batter’s box, he said he immediately feels comfortable.
“It’s all about comfort, in baseball and life in general,” Frazier said. “It got to the point where, when I stepped into the box there, I just felt really good, no matter who was pitching.”
Returning to PNC Park could also bring back some vivid memories for Frazier, who was playing for the Reds the night of the 2013 National League wild card game. Frazier likened the whole experience to a European soccer match because of the crazy atmosphere
Frazier refused to say whether Johnny Cueto dropped the ball on purpose or was simply rattled, claiming that he didn’t really remember. The only thing Frazier would say was, “It didn’t help.”
Maybe not for his old team, but definitely his new one, the organization that’s has given Frazier a chance to prove he still has what it takes to compete at baseball’s highest level, the same one counting on him to provide leadership and set a positive example for younger players.
“It’s about getting opportunities,” Frazier said. “These young guys need to understand when they do get opportunities, show up, take the bull by the horns and go after it. I want to preach to these young guys, ‘You’re here for a reason. There’s going to be a lot of opportunity for you. Show them why you're here.’”
That sort of stuff goes both ways, and Frazier absolutely knows that. He’s here to give answers like that, to chat up players around the batting cage, to put teammates at ease and to keep things light with a personality one could liken to that of Upper St. Clair native Sean Casey.
It will be hard to dislike Frazier, honestly. He seems genuine and truly appreciative of the opportunity the Pirates have given him, one of part-time first baseman and full-time team dad. It also sounds like part of his job might be to saddle up next to Ke’Bryan Hayes, ensuring he’s comfortable and has a positive example to follow.
Conjecture? Hardly. Frazier said it himself.
“He’s a stud,” Frazier said of Hayes. “He goes about his business the right way. He’s got a swagger to him that’s not cocky; it’s something that guys can build off and learn from. I like watching him take ground balls. He’s very smooth.
“I’ve been picking his brain a little as we go, just talking shop and that kind of stuff. But I can’t wait to see how he [matures] during the year. Like I told him the other day, ‘I’m here for you, man. I want to be there for you and try and make this team.’ God willing if I do, it’s going to be a real fun season.”
