Cashman’s Choice
Choosing between them will be hard, but it must be done. A team would be foolish to keep two, highly ranked young starting outfielders down on the farm or buried on the bench when one is only going to be a backup.
Instead, the Yankees need to figure out which one is the better player and trade the lesser. If they wait too long, the less talented player’s stock will suffer from the comparisons.
However, the overall profile for each player ends most comparisons in a tie.
Both bring all five tools to work. The strength of character has already been seen in each, as well. Desire, work ethic and respect for the game; the two men also seem to share these traits. And both need to cut down on strikeouts.
These are just a few of the reasons that had Clint ranked 15th overall in 2016 and currently have Estevan at 44…and rising.
But Frazier is a better player right now, hitting .256/.344/.473 with 12 home runs and 19 doubles in just 74 games at Triple-A last year. Does that mean he could consistently hit thirty home runs in the majors, starting soon? What do you think?
Yes, I’m Talking to You
And he got invaluable big league experience last year, with its attendant highs and lows. Clint also has more raw power than Estevan, and power always plays. His speed might not make him a true center fielder, but a dynamic bat can overcome some defensive deficiencies.
Getting back to that earlier article by Mr. Martin, Frazier makes the same case:
"“I’ve played more center in my career than the corners. I know I can go out there and catch the ball. …nowadays, if you hit, you play.”"
He is, however, also older: Frazier is 23 while Florial is but 20. That makes Clint’s ceiling easier to see. And the need to decide on him more pressing.