Todd Frazier
Todd Brian Frazier (born February 12, 1986), nicknamed "The Toddfather", is an American former professional baseball third baseman. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cincinnati Reds, Chicago White Sox, New York Yankees, Texas Rangers, New York Mets, and Pittsburgh Pirates from 2011 to 2021. Frazier was an MLB All-Star in 2014 and 2015.
| Todd Frazier | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Frazier in 2016 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Third baseman | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Born: February 12, 1986 Point Pleasant, New Jersey, U.S. | |||||||||||||||||||||
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |||||||||||||||||||||
| MLB debut | |||||||||||||||||||||
| May 23, 2011, for the Cincinnati Reds | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Last MLB appearance | |||||||||||||||||||||
| May 9, 2021, for the Pittsburgh Pirates | |||||||||||||||||||||
| MLB statistics | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Batting average | .241 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Home runs | 218 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Runs batted in | 640 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Teams | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||||||||||||
Medals
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Amateur career Edit
Todd Frazier was born in Point Pleasant, New Jersey, as the youngest of three boys and of partial Scottish ancestry from his father's side.[1] He grew up in Toms River, New Jersey, a fact that has been mentioned so frequently by the baseball media that it has become a meme in some online baseball communities.
Frazier was a member of the 1996 Junior Pee-Wee National Champions in football.[2]
1998 Little League World Series Edit
At the age of 12 and measuring 5 feet 2 inches and 104 pounds (47 kg),[3] Frazier was a star on the Toms River East American Little League All-Star team that won the New Jersey state championship and then the US East regional championship, to advance to the 1998 Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Dubbed the "Beasts of the East" for their skill, power and lucky-charm, stuffed gorilla, the team went undefeated in the tournament, and Frazier saved his best performance for the world championship game against the Far East and International-champion Kashima Little League from Kashima, Ibaraki, Japan, on August 29 at Howard J. Lamade Stadium. Beginning the game at shortstop, not only did he go 4–4 with a leadoff home run, but he was also the winning pitcher and recorded the game-winning strikeout that sealed a 12–9 Toms River win and the world championship – the first American Little League world championship since 1993.[4]
To celebrate their world championship, the Toms River team was invited by the New York Yankees to Yankee Stadium on September 1, 1998, as the Yankees faced the Oakland Athletics, and each Toms River player was introduced publicly to the crowd and invited to stand next to his Yankee position counterpart during the national anthem, which meant that Frazier, as shortstop, was standing next to New Jersey–born Derek Jeter.[5]
High school and college Edit
Frazier attended Toms River High School South and played for the school's baseball team.[6] The Colorado Rockies selected Frazier in the 37th round of the 2004 draft, but he did not sign.[7]
Frazier attended Rutgers University and played college baseball for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. In 2005 and 2006, he played collegiate summer baseball for the Chatham A's of the Cape Cod Baseball League.[8][9][10] In 2007, he started all 63 games for Rutgers, posting a .377 batting average, a .502 on-base percentage, and a .757 slugging percentage. He won Big East player of the year in 2007 and was named a Rivals.com All-American.[11] Frazier finished in the top six all-time in every major single-season offensive category at Rutgers except triples. He set records for home runs, runs scored (87), walks (62), doubles (24) and total bases (187). He also finished second in slugging percentage (.757), second in at-bats (247), tied for third in RBI (65), fifth in hits (93) and tied for sixth in stolen bases (25). He is one of 3 Rutgers players picked in the 1st round of the MLB Draft since 1966. Frazier joined Bud White (1966) and Bobby Brownlie (2002) when he was selected with the 34th overall pick in the first round of the 2007 MLB First-Year Player Draft. Since then, Rutgers only has had two players picked in the top 10 rounds, including fourth-rounder Patrick Kivlehan (2013), who played with the Cincinnati Reds in 2017.
Professional career Edit
Cincinnati Reds Edit
The Cincinnati Reds selected Frazier with the 34th overall selection of the 2007 Major League Baseball draft.[12] On July 11, 2007, Frazier made his professional debut as a designated hitter for the Billings Mustangs—the Reds' Rookie-Advanced farm team in the Pioneer League—going 2-for-4 with two singles, an RBI and a run scored.[13] Frazier finished the 2007 season with the Dayton Dragons.
Frazier played multiple positions for the Louisville Bats, the Reds' AAA team in the International League. He also spent the 2010 preseason as a non-roster invitee to the Reds' training camp. After the 2010 season, he was added to the Reds' 40-man roster.[14]
On May 23, 2011, Frazier and Matt Maloney were called up to the majors, with Edinson Vólquez and Jordan Smith optioned to Louisville.[15] Frazier struck out in his first major league plate appearance facing Michael Stutes while pinch-hitting for Maloney.[16] On May 24, 2011, Frazier was optioned back to Louisville to add an extra relief pitcher, Carlos Fisher.[17]
On July 31, 2011, Frazier hit his first career home run, a solo shot off of Barry Zito's 1–1 hanging curveball. On May 16, 2012, Frazier hit two home runs against the New York Mets. On May 23, 2012, he hit a walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth against the Atlanta Braves.
On May 27, 2012, Frazier homered off of the Colorado Rockies' Jamie Moyer in a 7–5 Reds' win. The home run was unusual because Frazier's bat slipped out of his hands as he was swinging.[18] The same day, he had saved the life of a man choking on a piece of steak by administering the Heimlich maneuver. Of the latter experience, he said, "I gave two pumps and it came out . . . It was pretty surreal. I have never done that before."[19]
On November 5, 2012, Frazier was named the Players Choice Awards National League Outstanding Rookie by the MLB Players Association.[20] On April 18, 2013, Frazier hit a homer for Reds' honorary batboy Teddy Kremer, an adult with Down syndrome.[21]
On July 6, 2014, Frazier was named a National League All-Star for the first time in his career, along with teammates Johnny Cueto, Aroldis Chapman and Devin Mesoraco and later Alfredo Simón. On July 8, he was selected to participate in the Home Run Derby.[22] In the Derby, where Frazier's brother Charlie served as his pitcher, he won the National League bracket and represented the NL in the final, where he lost to defending champ Yoenis Céspedes.[23][24]
On February 8, 2015 Frazier and the Reds reached an agreement on a two-year, $12 million contract. The deal paid Frazier $4.5 million in 2015, including a signing bonus, and $7.5 million in 2016.[25]
On April 21, 2015 Frazier hit his first career grand slam, against the Brewers.[26]
On May 12, 2015 the Reds announced that Frazier would serve as the 2015 Major League Baseball All-Star Game spokesperson.[27]
On July 13, 2015, Frazier won the 2015 MLB Home Run Derby on his home field in Cincinnati. Frazier beat the 2012 Derby champion Prince Fielder in the first round and defeated Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson in the second round and then beat the Los Angeles Dodgers' rookie centerfielder Joc Pederson in the final round.[28][29] He became the first hometown participant to win the derby since Ryne Sandberg won as a Chicago Cub in 1990.[29]
Chicago White Sox Edit
On December 16, 2015, Frazier was traded to the Chicago White Sox as part of a three team trade that sent Scott Schebler, José Peraza, and Brandon Dixon to the Cincinnati Reds and Frankie Montas, Micah Johnson, and Trayce Thompson to the Los Angeles Dodgers.[30]
On May 11, 2016, Frazier made an astounding play in the seats behind the third base line. In recoil, he suffered an apparent facial injury and left the game. The injury wasn't serious; however it required 5 stitches by the lower lip.[31]
On July 11, 2016, Frazier placed second in the 2016 MLB Home Run Derby at Petco Park in San Diego, losing to Giancarlo Stanton 20–13 in the final round. Frazier's total of 42 home runs, and Stanton's total of 61 home runs in the 2016 Derby make them the top two hitters of all time in a single Derby.[32]
In his only full season in Chicago, Frazier finished with career highs in home runs, runs batted in and walks despite hitting a career low .225 in 158 games. In his second season through 81 games, Frazier hit 16 home runs with 44 RBIs while hitting .207. For the season, he had the lowest batting average on balls in play (.236) of all major league players, and had the highest fly ball percentage (48.7%) and the lowest line drive percentage (15.7%) of all major league hitters.[33][34] Frazier signed a one-year, $12-million contract with the White Sox on January 13, 2017.
New York Yankees Edit
On July 18, 2017, the White Sox traded Frazier, Tommy Kahnle, and David Robertson to the New York Yankees for Blake Rutherford, Tyler Clippard, Ian Clarkin, and Tito Polo.[35] Upon Frazier's arrival in New York, he changed his jersey number from No. 21 to No. 29, as No. 21 was unofficially retired by the Yankees for outfielder Paul O'Neill (the Yankees retired O'Neill's number in 2022). Frazier had worn No. 21 throughout his entire career in honor of O'Neill, as he had grown up a Yankees fan in New Jersey. Frazier had stated that he hoped to speak to O'Neill to gain permission to wear the number; however, clubhouse manager Rob Cucuzza told Frazier that it would not happen.[36][37]
On July 25, 2017, against his former team, the Cincinnati Reds, Frazier hit into a run-scoring triple play in his first home at-bat as a Yankee.[38] Frazier hit his first home run as a Yankee on July 26 against the Reds.[39] He finished the 2017 season hitting .213 with 26 home runs and 77 RBI with the White Sox and Yankees. With the Yankees, Frazier developed into a fan favorite and played a key role in the clubhouse as the team's emotional leader during their postseason run.[40]
New York Mets Edit
On February 7, 2018, Frazier signed a two-year, $16 million contract with the New York Mets.[41]
On May 3, 2018, Frazier claimed that umpires were doing a worse job of calling balls and strikes in 2018 than in previous seasons and asked for a meeting with MLB commissioner Rob Manfred to discuss his frustration. "It's rubbing everybody the wrong way," Frazier said. "You have to be better than that." MLB said it had no comment on Frazier's remarks.[42]
The Mets placed Frazier on the disabled list on May 8 after he suffered the first hamstring injury of his career.[43] Frazier was activated from the disabled list on June 5 after appearing in three rehab games with the Triple-A Las Vegas 51s.[44] He was placed on the disabled list on July 9 for the second time in the season with a rib cage injury.[45] He finished the season hitting .213 for the second straight season with 18 home runs and 59 runs batted in.
Frazier was placed on the injured list to begin the 2019 season with a left oblique strain.[46]
On September 6, 2019, Frazier recorded his 1,000th career hit, a third inning single off Zach Eflin of the Philadelphia Phillies at Citi Field.[47][48]
Texas Rangers Edit
On January 15, 2020, Frazier signed a one-year deal with the Texas Rangers.[49] In 31 games for Texas in 2020, Frazier slashed .241/.322/.380 with 2 home runs and 7 RBI in 108 at-bats.[50]
New York Mets (second stint) Edit
On August 31, 2020, the Rangers traded Frazier to the Mets in exchange for a player to be named later, who was, on December 18, 2020, named Ryder Ryan.[51] On September 18, 2020, he made his MLB pitching debut. He threw a scoreless inning against the Atlanta Braves.[52] Offensively, Frazier finished the 2020 season hitting .236/.302/.382 with 4 home runs and 12 RBIs over 45 games between the Rangers and the Mets.
On October 28, 2020, the Mets declined Frazier's option for the 2021 season, making him a free agent.[53]
Pittsburgh Pirates Edit
On February 19, 2021, Frazier signed a minor league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates organization that included an invitation to spring training.[54] On March 26, Frazier opted out of his minor league contract and became a free agent.[55] On March 30, Frazier re-signed with the Pirates on a new minor league deal.[55] On April 22, Frazier was selected to the active roster.[56] Frazier was designated for assignment on May 10 after hitting only .086/.200/.114 in 40 plate appearances.[57] On May 13, Frazier was outrighted to Triple-A, but rejected the assignment and elected free agency.[58]
Sussex County Miners Edit
On June 9, 2021, Frazier signed with the Sussex County Miners of the Frontier League, to help prepare for the 2020 Summer Olympics (contested in 2021).[59] He played in 6 games, going 6 for 21 with 1 home run and 6 RBIs.[60]
On April 5, 2022, Frazier announced his retirement from professional baseball.[61]
International career Edit
In May 2021, Frazier played for the United States national baseball team during qualifying for baseball at the 2020 Summer Olympics.[62] After the team qualified, he was named to the Olympics roster on July 2.[63] The team went on to win silver, falling to Japan in the gold-medal game.[64]
Personal life Edit
On December 14, 2012, Frazier married his longtime girlfriend Jackie Verdon, a former Rutgers gymnast, who is also a New Jersey native.[65] The couple have three children.[66][67] The family resides in Toms River, where his name graces the Little League field called Frazier Field House.[68]
The Frazier family has Scottish ancestry.[citation needed] Todd has two older brothers who also played professional baseball. Jeff Frazier played in nine major league games in 2010 for the Detroit Tigers and spent a total of nine seasons with the Detroit Tigers, Seattle Mariners, Washington Nationals and the Chicago White Sox organizations without returning to the Major Leagues.[69][70] Charlie Frazier played for six seasons in the Florida Marlins organization.[23][71]
Frazier grew up a Yankees fan in Toms River, NJ.[72]
Frazier is a fan of fellow New Jerseyan Frank Sinatra, and often chose Sinatra's songs to play when he walks up to the batter's box before an at-bat.[73][74]
See also Edit
References Edit
- ^ Sheldon, Mark (May 9, 2014) . mlb.com
- ^ "Toms River Football Team Headed To National Championships". Toms River, NJ Patch. November 27, 2015. Retrieved July 23, 2017.
- ^ Todd Frazier begins and ends 1998 Little League World Series Championship Game (Toms River East American LL vs. Kashima LL) YouTube (originally broadcast by ABC)
- ^ Kernan, Kevin. UP GOES FRAZIER! LITTLE LEAGUE HERO TURNED RUTGERS STAR COULD BE NEXT JETER April 15, 2008, at the Wayback Machine, New York Post, June 3, 2007. Accessed June 11, 2007.
- ^ "Apparently Derek Jeter and Todd Frazier go way back". MLB.org. MLB Advanced Media, LP. Retrieved July 21, 2014.
- ^ Christopher, Chris. "Frazier to Cincinnati; 34th overall" August 12, 2007, at the Wayback Machine, Ocean County Observer, June 8, 2007. "She had to do something to honor her cousin, Todd Frazier, the former Toms River High School South standout selected 34th in the supplemental first round of the 2007 First-Year Player Draft yesterday by the Cincinnati Reds."
- ^ 37th Round of the 2004 MLB June Amateur Draft. Baseball-Reference.com.
- ^ "Major League Baseball Players From the Cape Cod League" (PDF). capecodbaseball.org. Retrieved January 9, 2020.
- ^ "2005 Chatham As". thebaseballcube.com. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
- ^ "2006 Chatham As". thebaseballcube.com. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
- ^ "Frazier Named Rivals.com First Team All-American: Scarlet Knight Collects Another First Team All-America Honor" April 16, 2008, at the Wayback Machine, Rutgers Scarlet Knights press release dated June 6, 2007. Accessed June 11, 2007.
- ^ MLB.com 2007 Draft Tracker, MLB.com Draft Tracker. Accessed June 8, 2007.
- ^ Rachac, Greg. Mustangs shake off recent slump in 9–3 win over Orem Archived September 12, 2012, at archive.today, Billings Gazette, July 12, 2007. Accessed July 14, 2007.
- ^ Sheldon, Mark. "Reds place Cozart, Frazier on 40-man roster | reds.com". Cincinnati.reds.mlb.com. Retrieved July 14, 2015.
- ^ Danneman, Joe (May 23, 2011). . FOX19. Archived from the original on September 27, 2011. Retrieved May 23, 2011.
- ^ Johnson, Brent (May 23, 2011). "Todd Frazier, former Rutgers star, makes major-league debut". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved May 24, 2011.
- ^ Gleeman, Aaron (May 24, 2011). "That was quick: Reds send Todd Frazier back to Triple-A". NBC Sports. Retrieved May 24, 2011.
- ^ "Get a grip: Reds' Todd Frazier loses bat, still connects for home run (Video)".
- ^ Rosecranz, C. Trent (May 29, 2013). "Reds rookie Todd Frazier saves choking man in Pittsburgh". CBS Sports.
- ^ "frazier-named-players-choice-rookie-of-the-year | FOX Sports". Foxsportsohio.com. November 6, 2012. Retrieved July 14, 2015.
- ^ Rosecrans, C. Trent (April 18, 2013). . The Cincinnati Enquirer. Cincinnati.com. Archived from the original on June 26, 2013. Retrieved July 1, 2013.
- ^ Kevin Manahan (July 14, 2014). "N.J.'s Todd Frazier: From a little slugger to MLB's Home Run Derby". NJ.com. Retrieved July 14, 2015.
- ^ a b "Todd Frazier falls in HR Derby, but family wins". Cincinnati.com. July 15, 2014. Retrieved July 14, 2015.
- ^ . Archived from the original on July 27, 2014. Retrieved July 21, 2014.
- ^ "Todd Frazier, Reds agree to deal". ESPN. February 8, 2015. Retrieved February 9, 2015.
- ^ Mello, Igor (April 21, 2015). "Reds 3B Todd Frazier comes up grand in win over Brewers". CBSSports.com. Retrieved April 23, 2015.
- ^ "Todd Frazier to serve as 2015 All-Star Game spokesperson". Cincinnati.com. May 12, 2015. Retrieved July 14, 2015.
- ^ Sheldon, Mark (July 13, 2015). "Deep goes Frazier! Reds star KOs Derby field". MLB.com. Retrieved July 14, 2015.
- ^ a b Shea, John (July 13, 2015). "Todd Frazier edges Joc Pederson in Home Run Derby". SF Gate. Retrieved July 15, 2015.
- ^ Simon, Andrew (December 16, 2015). "White Sox acquire Frazier in 3-team deal". mlb.com. Retrieved December 16, 2015.
- ^ "Todd Frazier hurt as White Sox struggle late again in loss to Rangers". Comcast Sports Chicago. May 11, 2016. Retrieved May 11, 2016.
- ^ Kuty, Brendan (July 12, 2016). "2016 MLB Home Run Derby: Marlins' Giancarlo Stanton beats N.J.'s Todd Frazier". nj.com. Retrieved July 15, 2016.
- ^ Major League Leaderboards » 2015 » Batters » Batted Ball Statistics | FanGraphs Baseball. Fangraphs.com. Retrieved on December 22, 2018.
- ^ Major League Leaderboards » 2016 » Batters » Advanced Statistics | FanGraphs Baseball. Fangraphs.com. Retrieved on December 22, 2018.
- ^ Van Schouwen, Daryl (July 18, 2017). "White Sox trade Robertson, Frazier, Kahnle to Yankees, call up Moncada". chicago.suntimes.com. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
- ^ "Todd Frazier hopes to talk to Paul O'Neill about wearing No. 21". NY Daily News. Retrieved July 19, 2017.
- ^ III, George A. King (July 21, 2017). "The Yankees won't let Todd Frazier wear number he wants". New York Post. Retrieved July 23, 2017.
- ^ "Todd Frazier plays first Yankees home game". Major League Baseball. Retrieved July 29, 2017.
- ^ "Todd Frazier celebrates first Yankee home run after tough start". NY Daily News. Retrieved July 28, 2017.
- ^ Rourke, Dan (January 26, 2018) The Yankees should try to strike a deal with Todd Frazier. yanksgoyard.com
- ^ DiComo, Anthony (February 7, 2018). "Mets sign Todd Frazier to 2-year deal". MLB.com.
- ^ "Salty Frazier wants to meet commish over strikes". ESPN.com. Retrieved May 4, 2018.
- ^ Puma, Mike (May 8, 2018). "Mets turn to platoon for offense as Todd Frazier hits DL". New York Post. Retrieved May 10, 2018.
- ^ "Todd Frazier, Anthony Swarzak rejoin Mets". MLB.com. Major League Baseball. June 5, 2018. Retrieved June 5, 2018.
- ^ New York Mets place 3B Todd Frazier on DL with left rib cage strain. Espn.com (July 9, 2018). Retrieved on 2018-12-22.
- ^ "Todd Frazier Continues Progressing Well in Rehab | Metsmerized Online". March 11, 2019.
- ^ Toscano, Justin (September 6, 2019). "Todd Frazier collects his 1,000th hit on Friday as NY Mets defeat Philadelphia Phillies". App.com. Retrieved September 7, 2019.
- ^ "Philadelphia Phillies at New York Mets Box Score, September 6, 2019". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 7, 2019.
- ^ "Rangers finalize deals for 3B Frazier, C Chirinos". ESPN.com. January 15, 2020.
- ^ "Todd Frazier Stats, Fantasy & News". MLB.com.
- ^ "Mets acquire R. Chirinos, Frazier, Castro". MLB.com. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
- ^ DiComo, Anthony (September 18, 2020). "Frazier breaks out knuckler in pitching debut". MLB.com. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
- ^ "Mets decline options on Ramos, Chirinos, Frazier". ESPN.com. October 28, 2020.
- ^ "Pirates Sign Todd Frazier to Minor League Deal". MLB Trade Rumors.
- ^ a b "Pirates Re-Sign Todd Frazier". MLB Trade Rumors.
- ^ "Pirates Select Todd Frazier, Designate Dustin Fowler, Place Chad Kuhl On IL". MLB Trade Rumors.
- ^ "Todd Frazier Elects Free Agency".
- ^ "Todd Frazier Elects Free Agency".
- ^ Tredinnick, Andrew (June 9, 2021). "Todd Frazier returning to NJ to play for Sussex County Miners in preparation for Olympics". NJHerald.com. Retrieved June 9, 2021.
- ^ Todd Frazier Stats | Baseball-Reference.com
- ^ "Fan favorite, former Derby champ Todd Frazier retires". MLB.com.
- ^ "Team USA Announces Olympic Qualifying Roster". usabaseball.com. May 30, 2021. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
- ^ "USA Baseball announces Olympics roster". MLB.com. July 2, 2021. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
- ^ . Olympics.com. August 7, 2021. Archived from the original on August 16, 2021. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
- ^ Hurm, Nick (December 15, 2012). . Archived from the original on October 19, 2013. Retrieved July 14, 2014.
- ^ Zahneis, Meggie. (July 18, 2014) . Web.archive.org. Retrieved on 2018-12-22.
- ^ "Instagram photo by Jackie Frazier • Dec 18, 2015 at 3:21pm UTC". Archived from the original on December 26, 2021.
- ^ Ramsey, Jamie (November 30, 2012). "Frazier's Hurricane Sandy Relief Efforts". MLB.com. Retrieved July 14, 2015.
- ^ "Jeff Frazier Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved July 14, 2015.
- ^ "Jeff Frazier Minor League Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com. August 10, 1982. Retrieved July 14, 2015.
- ^ "Charlie Frazier Minor League Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com. July 6, 1980. Retrieved July 14, 2015.
- ^ "Trade to Yankees 'surreal' for Frazier". MLB.com.
- ^ "A tale of Todd Frazier, his grandparents and Frank Sinatra | MLB.com: News". Mlb.mlb.com. Retrieved July 14, 2015.
- ^ [1] July 4, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
External links Edit
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors), or Retrosheet
- Todd Frazier on Twitter