Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Adam Frazier throws to first base to finish a double play hit … [+]
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Whereas the Pittsburgh Pirates are on the backside of the Nationwide League Central standings, Adam Frazier is close to the highest of NL leaderboards in some vital statistical classes.
Not that the 29-year-old second baseman is paying a lot consideration. Whereas he reluctantly admits to at the very least peeking to see the place he stands in hits, Frazier has little curiosity in the remainder of the stats.
“I strive not to take a look at numbers, strive not to go searching the league,” Frazier stated. “Then you definately’re evaluating your self, making an attempt to do an excessive amount of, making an attempt to do that, making an attempt to try this as a substitute of simply going out and enjoying the sport and specializing in each at-bat. So yeah, I attempt to block out all distractions.”
Frazier then cracked that he can be a greater participant if he didn’t personal a smartphone. The quiet native of Athens, Ga., might need solely been half-kidding.
If inclined to take a look at the league leaders, although, Frazier would see he has been one of many NL’s prime hitters all through the primary half of the season.
Frazier’s .327 batting common and 100 hits are second within the NL. Cincinnati Reds proper fielder Nicholas Castellanos is tops in each classes with a .346 common and 102 hits.
Frazier can also be second in doubles (24), fourth in triples (4), sixth in on-base proportion (.395), eighth in runs scored (50) and 10th in complete bases (144).
These are spectacular numbers contemplating he performs for a staff with a 29-50 document that trails the first-place Milwaukee Brewers by 18 video games within the division standings. The Pirates are additionally final within the main leagues with a median of three.51 runs scored a sport.
“Fairly good first half I assume, it’s not over but, although,” Frazier stated. “Simply sooner or later at a time. We’ve bought an extended methods to go. Lengthy season.”
Regardless of enjoying on a foul staff that’s about as far faraway from the nationwide consciousness as any of the 30 MLB franchises, Frazier is one among three finalists within the voting to be the NL second baseman within the All-Star Sport on July 13 at Coors Subject in Denver.
The opposite finalists are the Atlanta Braves’ Ozzie Albies and Los Angeles Dodgers’ Gavin Lux. Albies is hitting .265 with 15 dwelling runs and 11 stolen bases in 77 video games whereas Lux has a .229 common and 6 homers in 69 video games. Each play for groups with excessive visibility.
Not surprisingly, Frazier stated Wednesday he had neither voted for himself nor regarded on the voting outcomes. The All-Star groups can be revealed Sunday and Frazier has but to play in a Midsummer Basic throughout his six-year profession.
“It’d be a dream come true but it surely’s not one thing I’m desirous about,” Frazier stated.
Frazier can also be protecting the tunnel imaginative and prescient on the subject of the looming MLB commerce deadline July 30.
Regardless of his massive season, Frazier doesn’t match within the Pirates’ youth motion. Nonetheless, he would seemingly be engaging to contending groups along with his left-handed line-drive batting stroke and talent to additionally play third base, shortstop and all three outfield positions.
Frazier can also be inexpensive with a wage of $4.3 million. Moreover, he doesn’t turn into eligible free of charge company till following subsequent season.
In fact, Frazier has realized to tune out the rumors. He has been a part of commerce hypothesis for the higher a part of three years.
“I’ve bought a bunch of different stuff happening to fret about,” Frazier stated. “I simply realized to be the place my toes are and have time enjoying baseball and attempt to do the whole lot I can to win a sport on daily basis. If it’s in a Pirate uniform or some other place, it doesn’t actually matter.”
