New York Yankees: Clint Frazier is here to stay

Clint Frazier was finally inserted in the New York Yankees lineup and delivered.

If you were wondering who that kid was batting eighth for the New York Yankees last night – you know, that red-headed slugger who looked like a gunslinger wearing a facemask for an entire game? It was Clint Frazier.

Yankees fans have waited in anticipation each time one of their players was sent down, hoping that the “Red Thunder” would finally get his legitimate call to “the show”. Well, yesterday, Frazier finally got the call, and boy did he deliver.

In his first at-bat, following a Gary Sanchez homer over the left-field wall, Frazier decided to go back-to-back with a 410 footer into the opposing team’s bullpen. Then, in his next at-bat, Frazier pulled a 78 mph Tyler Matzek breaking ball for a single.

Frazier would later strike again in his third at-bat of the night, pulling a Josh Tomlin pitch for a double. With a single, home run, and a double in tow, all he needed was a triple to complete the cycle on the night.

What’s more, all three of these hits averaged an Exit Velocity of 101 mph according to Baseball Savant. Additionally, this three-hit night would already be Mr. Frazier’s 7th career game with 3+ hits, according to stat guru Katie Sharp.

Unfortunately, he’d strikeout in his final at-bat, finishing the night 3-4 and with the Yankee left field position firmly in his grasp.

Sure, it was only one night, one performance, but through 124 sporadic MLB games, Frazier has proven more than capable of handling big-league pitching. Also, let’s face it, with Brett Gardner set to hang up his cleats at the end of the season and the oft-injured Giancarlo Stanton officially relegated to the everyday-DH status, who better than Clint Frazier to be officially cemented as the New York Yankees left fielder of the future.

Prior to last night’s game, Frazier told the media, “I feel like I’m ready and I’m hoping that I can make the most of an opportunity if it comes.” I’d say, he’s done that and then some.