Clint Frazier making return to Yankee Stadium as a reserve with Cubs
Clint Frazier #77 of the Chicago Cubs in action during the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on April 13, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Credit: Getty Images
MINNEAPOLIS – One of the most hyped prospects the Yankees have had in some time will make a quiet – presumably – return to Yankee Stadium Friday night.
Clint Frazier, whose “legendary bat speed” was extolled by general manager Brian Cashman at the 2016 trade deadline, is now a reserve with the Cubs, who are in town for a three-game series. But Frazier, though demonstrating considerable ability at the plate on occasion, never got his career in pinstripes rolling. Injuries played a role, as did Frazier’s comportment in general once he reached the big leagues. That often rubbed teammates, including CC Sabathia, the wrong way (Google “Clint Frazier” and “spring training haircut” and “2017” as just one example).
Overall, in his five seasons in the Bronx, Frazier, who consistently battled injury issues during his Yankees tenure, hit .239 with 29 homers and a .761 OPS in 228 games.
“He had some injury stuff that he had to deal with that cost him a lot of time,” manager Aaron Boone said before Thursday night’s series finale against the Twins regarding what did Frazier in during his time in New York. “He missed a lot of time and important reps and by no doing of his own.”
A significant concussion suffered in spring training 2018 essentially wiped out that season and, after a promising start to his 2019 campaign, severe fielding issues would take hold, most notably during a June 2 Sunday Night Baseball game that season when Frazier, starting in right, misplayed three balls. He then further irritated members of his own clubhouse by dodging the media afterward. That left teammates to answer questions he should have been answering, a no-no in the clubhouse for decades now.
There was much more and ultimately the Yankees chose to cut bait in November, designating the outfielder, now 27 and hitting .216 with no homers and a .653 OPS in 19 games with the Cubs, for assignment.
“He’s a really talented guy,” Boone said. “We certainly wish him well moving forward in his career because we all know he’s got a lot of ability.”
Erik Boland started in Newsday's sports department in 2002. He covered high school and college sports, then shifted to the Jets beat. He has covered the Yankees since 2009.
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