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MOOSIC — The date was July 30, 2016.
It was your average Saturday night. The Columbus Clippers had just beaten the Charlotte Knights, 11-2, and Clint Frazier was sitting in his hotel room with his friend and teammate Bradley Zimmer.
The non-waiver trade deadline was the upcoming Monday, and after the Cleveland Indians made a trade for catcher Jonathan Lucroy, a deal that didn’t include either of the top prospects, the pair felt safe. They had been recently promoted from Double-A and now, with their futures seemingly secure, they could settle in with their new team.
Frazier felt it was safe to go to bed, and he did. Only to wake up the next morning and learn that his life was about to change forever.
“I found out at 8:30 the next morning from a text from a friend that I got traded, and shortly after, I got a couple phone calls,” Frazier said.
As it turned out Lucroy vetoed his deal, allowing the Indians to trade with the New York Yankees.
“I didn’t know how to take it,” Frazier said. “I had only known one organization and it was difficult coming over here without knowing people. I’m still adjusting over here and trying to get my feet under me.”
Now the 22-year-old outfielder will return to Huntington Park on Monday for the first time since that July trade, a deal in which the Yankees acquired Frazier, lefty starter Justus Sheffield and righty relievers J.P. Feyereisen and Ben Heller for top reliever Andrew Miller. The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders open up a three-game set against the Clippers beginning Tuesday.
Even though Zimmer won’t be there, Frazier is exited to return to his “second home.” The Indians’ top prospect was called up by Cleveland on Tuesday.
“I was most excited to see Bradley Zimmer, but he got the callup yesterday. I’m proud of him. Happy for him for that,” Frazier said. “I’m excited to see how the fans embrace me there.”
It was bumpy start with the RailRiders for Frazier.
He knew no one when he came over from Columbus, and while the team saw massive success, winning both the International League and Triple-A crowns, the Decatur, Georgia native did not. He batted .228 after appearing in 25 games with the RailRiders, which was a career-low at any level.
And though he isn’t having a career year or has yet to reach the level of productivity he had with Double-A Akron last season — batting .255 in 37 games — Frazier’s been encouraged by the progress he’s made this season. He currently leads the team in doubles (14), home runs (6) and RBI (24).
But Frazier still isn’t where he wants to be. It’s been what he described as a “slow” progression.
“At times I’ll feel good, then there are times I won’t know what’s happening,” Frazier said. “I’m trying every day to take it one day at a time and one at-bat at a time and not get frustrated, but it’s hard, man. I’m just trying to come out here and have fun. That’s the biggest thing.
“I’m having a lot better at-bats over here. The numbers aren’t showing that, but I have a bunch of doubles, a couple walks, some RBI. Even finding away to be productive, but to me it’s just about stringing together more multi-hit games and getting on base as much as I can.”
Frazier has been working on the foundation of his swing with RailRiders hitting coach P.J. Pilittere the last couple weeks during batting practice. While it was a change of pace at first, he’s adapted well.
Frazier’s walking more this season, with a team-leading 19. His season high is 68, from when he was in High-A in 2015, which he’s currently on pace to surpass.
“I think he’s made some really good adjustments with his lower half,” Pilittere said. “I think his swing is finally tuned and on the right track to get some extended success with his swing. He’s worked really hard establishing a better lower half and being grounded and controlling his moves to the baseball.”
As Frazier looks to reach the bigs for the first time, the biggest hole in his game remains consistency.
“I’ve been in a better position a lot of times, which has allowed me to walk, hit for more power,” Frazier said. “I think for me, it’s putting my body in a powerful position to strike a pitch whenever it’s in the strike zone. So for me, it’s sometimes I’m a little bit late, sometimes I’m a little bit early. It’s just I have to find that spot where I touch down and feel the most athletic to impact the ball.”
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