PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – While he spent most of spring hitting .500, Adam Frazier wasn’t the best hitter on the team. Frazier said he spent March chasing Kevin Newman, but when the season starts for real on Thursday. Frazier will lead off against the Cubs.
Frazier said there were times where his swing got too long last season and that led to a MLB worst .230 batting average. That participated off-season changes that seemed difficult to make during the 2020 season, but he’s settled in now.
“An adjustment I made in the beginning, just getting my hands out in front of my body to start instead of behind my head,” Frazier said. “If they (hands) are trapped behind me, then I’m cutting myself off and not able to get to every pitch. Where they are at now leads to more barrels because they are free.”
It has paid off in Grapefruit League play, Frazier tied for the team lead in doubles, triples, second in hits and homers, third in RBI and only two strikeouts while hitting .488.
“It’s fun,” said of his exhibition play. “A little adjustment in the beginning of spring. Feel like I’m in a good place with it. Able to simplify a lot of things. Seeing the ball a long time, I can get to any pitch in the zone. Hopefully I can keep that feeling rolling into the season.”
Now a two-time finalist for a Gold Glove, Frazier believes he’s part of an infield that can really flash the leather. That can be as contagious as hitting.
“A guy makes a good play,” Frazier said. “You don’t want to make an error right behind him. You lock it in. You don’t want to let anyone down, just locks you in a little more.”
“Everyone is pretty comfortable with each other and I think we will continue to grow as we move into the regular season.”
“Hopefully we can pick it up where we are at right now in Chicago.”