The Pittsburgh Pirates are excited to welcome back former All-Star Adam Frazier, who has reportedly signed a one-year Major League contract worth $1.525 million, according to MLB.com.
While the team has yet to make an official announcement, fans are buzzing with anticipation over Frazier’s return to Pittsburgh.
Frazier’s Career with the Pirates
With a solid nine years of Major League experience under his belt, Frazier spent his first six seasons with the Pirates, from 2016 to 2021.
He began his career as a consistent, league-average hitter but truly made a name for himself in 2021 when he earned a spot as the starting second baseman for the National League All-Star squad.
His time with the Pirates came to an end when he was traded to the San Diego Padres at the trade deadline, a move that included promising player Jack Suwinski in the deal.
Recent Performance and Versatility
Since leaving Pittsburgh, Frazier’s performance has experienced ups and downs.
He faced difficulties during his time with the Padres and Mariners in 2021 and 2022.
However, he rebounded in 2023 with the Baltimore Orioles, putting together a respectable .696 OPS and contributing 1.7 WAR in 141 games.
Last season, Frazier played a secondary role with the Kansas City Royals, where he finished with a line of .202/.282/.294, hitting four home runs and driving in 22 runs over 294 plate appearances.
Even in a challenging season, Frazier managed to retain key performance metrics that highlight his long-standing capabilities.
He recorded chase and whiff rates of 26.4% and 18.8%, respectively, in addition to an effective launch angle of 37.9%.
Role with the Pirates
As he rejoins the Pirates, Frazier is set to take on the role of utility infielder, adding valuable depth to the infield with his left-handed bat.
While he might see some time in the outfield, the expectation is that he will not serve as a primary option there.
The Pirates recently saw solid contributions from right-hander Jared Triolo, who won the Rawlings Gold Glove Award for utility players in 2024, making Frazier’s addition even more significant amidst recent injury concerns for Gold Glove third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes.
Though Frazier has mainly played second base throughout his career, he has shown versatility by taking on third base, shortstop, and even first base during the last season with the Royals.
According to Baseball Savant, he finished the year with -1 Outs Above Average.
The Pirates will need to tweak their 40-man roster to accommodate Frazier once the deal is officially confirmed.
This new chapter in Frazier’s career is poised to inject fresh energy and depth into the Pirates’ roster as they gear up for the upcoming season.
