Clint Frazier: 'Hard not to be unhappy' with stint in minors
Clint Frazier, one of the league's best up-and-coming outfielders, was recalled from the minors to serve as the 26th man for the New York Yankees during a doubleheader Monday. While he's grateful for the opportunity, that role isn't enough for the frustrated 23-year-old.
"It's hard not to be unhappy about the situation," Frazier told Coley Harvey of ESPN regarding his time with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He added, "I'm just happy now that I've got a change of scenery."
Frazier's message echoes minor-league infielder Brandon Drury's sentiments from last week, when his fellow Yankees prospect said, "I don't belong here."
Though Frazier is expected to remain with the club for a three-game set against the surprisingly hot Seattle Mariners, the Yankees are considered likely to demote the young slugger afterward. They've got a stacked outfield consisting of Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Aaron Hicks, and Brett Gardner. The latter is dealing with a sore knee.
"I'm the 26th Man of the Year," joked Frazier, who's been promoted twice this season to serve as the extra player during a doubleheader.
Touted as one of baseball's top prospects when the Yankees acquired him from the Cleveland Indians in 2016 in exchange for Andrew Miller, Frazier has appeared in 42 major-league games - three of them this season. In Triple-A, Frazier owns a .312/.389/.558 slash line over 38 games this year with seven homers and four stolen bases.
Earlier in the season, Frazier was dealing with migraines stemming from a concussion, but medical staff cleared him in late April.