Todd Frazier

[Hoosier Red]

Originally Posted by DGullett35

I agree with this 100%. Frazier will get his at-bats for the rest of the regular season. Votto will need rest, Rolen only plays 4 days a week and Luddy needs a day or two a week. Frazier will be in the lineup most days. If Rolen can keep up what hes done in the second half I want him starting 3rd in the playoffs. If we face a tough righty Frazier can get the nod. Dusty will find ways. Isnt it good though to have a guy that is having a tremendous year yet we have to find at-bats for him. A very good problem to have Id say.

I agree with this. I think Ludwick's done his duty of carrying a heavy load since Votto went out, but he needs a bit of a break.

If Frazier rotates in as 2-3 days as 3B, 1-2 days as LF, 1-2 days as 1b every week for the rest of the year, I'll be happy enough. (This likely leads to 5 starts in 6 games, with an extra day off every week.)

In the playoffs I'm guessing he doesn't see any time at 1B, but I bet he plays 3 out of every 4 games. Given how well Ludwick and Rolen are hitting to this point, I don't think anyone can complain too vociferously at each of them getting one game off and one player getting two out of the four.



He'll play.

[mdccclxix]

I'd anticipate Frazier getting almost zero starts in the postseason unless it's a 3-0 lead , but plenty of at bats coming off the bench as a PH. Ludwick and Rolen both have more experience at their positions, so it's likely a safer course to start them.

[backbencher]

Originally Posted by Wonderful Monds

Obviously, assuming Rolen does retire as expected, he's the regular 3B next year.

Why are people assuming that Rolen is retiring? I very much expect to see him in Cincinnati next season.

[redsfandan]

Originally Posted by backbencher

Why are people assuming that Rolen is retiring? I very much expect to see him in Cincinnati next season.

Despite what he's done in the last few weeks his bat hasn't been that productive since 2010 and he can't stay healthy. So, if anyone offers him a contract it won't be for much. I think he's realistic about where his career is right now. Going out on a playoff team might be the kind of swan song he wants. Perform well in the playoffs and the last memory the HOF voters have of him will be a good one improving his chances even if only slightly.

[OldXOhio]

Originally Posted by mdccclxix

If Ludwick walks, the Reds sign a LH LF to platoon with Frazier and Rolen plays 3b next year. It's one scenario.

Give LF to Frazier in that scenario and move along. Bigger job is fixing CF.

[Dan]

How about a rotation like this:

Day 1:
1b - Votto
3b - Rolen
LF - Ludwick
RF - Bruce

Day 2:
1b - Frazier
3b - Rolen
LF - Ludwick
RF - Bruce

Day 3:
1b - Votto
3b - Frazier
LF - Ludwick
RF - Bruce

Day 4:
1b - Votto
3b - Rolen
LF - Frazier
RF - Bruce

Day 5:
1b - Votto
3b - Rolen
LF - Ludwick
CF - Bruce
RF - Frazier

Day 6:
1b - Votto
3b - Rolen
LF - Ludwick
CF - Stubbs
RF - Frazier

Mix and match as necessary

[dfs]

Originally Posted by backbencher

Why are people assuming that Rolen is retiring? I very much expect to see him in Cincinnati next season.

I don't see the reds investing resources in Rolen when Frazier is ready to play for the league minimum. If Rolen wants to travel with the team and pick up 3-4 starts a week near the league minimum I would sign him.

Otherwise, "Hey, thanks for the memories and if you ever want to coach or stuff like that keep us in mind."

Hopefully Frazier will get to DH in the World Series.

[max venable]

espn.com just posted a good article by Crasnick about TF. Good stuff here:

espn.com Frazier article

[Strikes Out Looking]

This is a good problem to have.

[mdccclxix]

Originally Posted by max venable

espn.com just posted a good article by Crasnick about TF. Good stuff here:

espn.com Frazier article

About his no handed HR:

"People ask me about it all the time, and I tell them, 'I don't know how I did it,'" Frazier says. "It was a hot day and I was holding on with two fingers when I hit it. There's a rule of thumb, 'Throw the head to the ball,' and that's what I did. It's pretty weird. I can't explain it."

That sums it up for me. He is excellent at getting the right part of the bat on the ball.

This was just funny:

"Todd was always a competitor, whether it was pingpong or whiffle ball in the backyard or whatever. We wouldn't let him play because he was the little one. So he'd run home and tell our dad, and my dad would come back and take the ball and bat and say, 'You're not playing unless you let Todd play.' Todd got beat up sometimes, but he always came back."

[mdccclxix]

Crasnick wrote that article, wasn't he a Cincinnati beat writer during the 90's?

[Caveat Emperor]

Todd Frazier:

AAA: 1,007 PA, .788 OPS
AA: 500 PA, .831 OPS

I'd expect a number somewhere between those two going forward. It's a great year he is having, but his minor league numbers indicate that this isn't the real Todd Frazier.

[redsmetz]

Originally Posted by Caveat Emperor

Todd Frazier:

AAA: 1,007 PA, .788 OPS
AA: 500 PA, .831 OPS

I'd expect a number somewhere between those two going forward. It's a great year he is having, but his minor league numbers indicate that this isn't the real Todd Frazier.

CE, I guess this is where I struggle with examining "new stats" - there never seems to be any possibility of a player moving up in their abilities. I understand in the great universe of players and seasons and all, that numbers move towards some norm. But I guess I'm skeptical that such locks something in stone and players aren't capable of rising above what is expected of them.

I can't say whether Todd Frazier will continue at the pace he presently is and I understand that he may regress towards what he's previously done. That said, I can't say that his numbers indicate that who he is in this present moment isn't at all who he actual is and will be for some years to come. Then again, I'm not certain you (or others) are necessarily saying that too. But I bristle at what feels like some determinism that can't be escaped.

[Tom Servo]

Originally Posted by max venable

espn.com just posted a good article by Crasnick about TF. Good stuff here:

espn.com Frazier article

[traderumor]

Originally Posted by redsmetz

CE, I guess this is where I struggle with examining "new stats" - there never seems to be any possibility of a player moving up in their abilities. I understand in the great universe of players and seasons and all, that numbers move towards some norm. But I guess I'm skeptical that such locks something in stone and players aren't capable of rising above what is expected of them.

I can't say whether Todd Frazier will continue at the pace he presently is and I understand that he may regress towards what he's previously done. That said, I can't say that his numbers indicate that who he is in this present moment isn't at all who he actual is and will be for some years to come. Then again, I'm not certain you (or others) are necessarily saying that too. But I bristle at what feels like some determinism that can't be escaped.

I think CE has made the mistake of using a general principal to take a dogmatic position on a specific case. That is not the intention of the general principal. The only thing certain is that there will be outliers when it comes to a population of "all hitters in minor league history." Unless CE has some special, supernatural predictive ability of who the outliers are and are not, Frazier could perform better than his minor league numbers in his major league career.