Dream come true: Frazier named ASG starter
Joins Mazeroski as only the Pirates to start at second base in Midsummer Classic
Jake Crouse
@JakeCrouseMLBPITTSBURGH -- All Pirates second baseman Adam Frazier has done this season is hit, hit, hit.
It turns out he¡¯s a bit of a hit with the fans, too, as Frazier was voted to be a starter at second base for the National League team in this year¡¯s All-Star Game, which will be held at Coors Field on July 13 on FOX.
Frazier edged Atlanta¡¯s Ozzie Albies, who had the most votes through Phase 1 of fan balloting, in Phase 2 with 47% of the vote to Albies¡¯ 33%. The Dodgers¡¯ Gavin Lux finished third with 20% of the vote.
The decision wasn¡¯t too surprising when you look at the stats. Among NL second basemen with at least 20 starts at the position, Frazier led the group entering Thursday with 100 hits, a .327 batting average, a .395 on-base percentage and 141 weighted runs created plus (100 is league average).
However, Frazier was surprised by Derek Shelton before the Pirates¡¯ game on Thursday, when the manager told his second baseman -- draped in a towel after doing some pregame work -- he¡¯d be the starter after calling a fake team meeting.
"They got me on that,¡± Frazier said. ¡°I had just gotten out of the hot tub and taken a shower, just getting ready with my normal routine. Kind of wondering why the crap we were having a 6:15 meeting for protocols.¡±
Frazier couldn¡¯t be too mad. A lover of bourbon whiskey like Shelton, he got a bottle of Old Fitzgerald from the skipper as a token of recognition for the honor.
Frazier joins Hall of Famer Bill Mazeroski as the only Pirates second baseman to start the All-Star Game. Frazier is also the first Bucs second baseman since Josh Harrison in 2017 to earn an All-Star selection, and he¡¯s the ninth Pirate selected into the All-Star Game by way of fan balloting.
The left-handed-hitting Frazier is Pittsburgh¡¯s lone representative in the All-Star Game -- for now. Bryan Reynolds¡¯ incredible production at the plate gives him a case in player balloting and selections made by the Commissioner¡¯s Office for the NL¡¯s reserves, and pitchers will be selected through the same process as reserves.
After Thursday¡¯s big reveal, the pitchers and reserves for the All-Star Game presented by Mastercard will be announced on Sunday at 5:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Frazier isn¡¯t the prototype of a star player. At least, he doesn¡¯t view himself that way. Being in consideration for the All-Star Game has been a weird experience for the 29-year-old second baseman, who handles his business every day like a pro and has grinded to get where he is today.
¡°I don't really love the spotlight itself. I just try to go about my business and take care of what I need to take care of,¡± Frazier said. ¡°It's pretty cool to have the support, and I¡¯m happy for that."
Frazier gave a special shoutout to the Pirates¡¯ public relations and social media teams on Wednesday, speaking for the first time since moving on to Phase 2 of voting. His teammates also played a part in getting out the message, sharing videos and handcrafted images, including Phillip Evans¡¯ mockup of Napoleon Dynamite wearing a ¡°Vote For Fraz¡± shirt.
¡°Every time I open up my Instagram I see my face about 10-15 times, so they're getting after it,¡± Frazier said.
Playing in the All-Star Game, even for a guy who shies away from the spotlight, is still something Frazier said has been a wish of his since he was playing in his backyard as a kid.
¡°To make that game or to start that game would be an unbelievable dream come true,¡± Frazier said.
And at least one Frazier knew that the second baseman would make it to the All-Star Game one day: His father, Tim, who Frazier said instilled in him the mindset of a successful player, one that has led him to Denver for the Midsummer Classic.
¡°That's my dad. He's going to set the bar high for myself just so I'm thinking that way, too,¡± Frazier said. ¡°If I just come up here in the Major Leagues and think about surviving, then you're setting a ceiling on yourself that's way too low.
¡°So you know, believe in yourself and go out there and play hard everyday and have confidence. You keep that and you'll have a lot better chance at succeeding.¡±