Things don’t change much for Adam Frazier. At least he tries to make sure that’s the case.
That was true earlier in the season, when myriad hitting streaks had the Pirates’ second baseman in the same statistical conversations as the best players in baseball. It’s still true now, as he’s taken first place among National League second baseman for All-Star voting.
Frazier is routine-oriented and habitually superstitious. When veteran Todd Frazier was still a member of the Pirates, it meant that the two Fraziers had to add their first initials to the backs of their jerseys. Frazier has since kept it that way. While wearing a microphone for an MLB YouTube video, he told Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts that he kept his first initial after Todd left because he was hitting well with it on the back of his jersey and didn’t want to jinx anything.
It seems silly, but that’s how Frazier operates. Go with what works, and if that means sticking with an abnormal jersey or some other routine, then he’ll do it.
It also makes sense, then, that Frazier tries his best not to concern himself with outside distractions. Entering Wednesday’s games, he was sixth in MLB in batting average, eighth in on-base percentage and tied for second in hits and doubles. Besides watching his alma mater Mississippi State in the College World Series, Frazier says the only thing he checks on in regards to baseball is the hits leaderboard, where he trailsedCincinnati Reds outfielder Nicholas Castellanos by just two hits (100 to 98) entering Wednesday.
“I know Castellanos is having an unbelievable season, so just pushing, try to keep up with him,” Frazier said. “Other than that, I don't get caught up in anything else. I try not to look at numbers, try not to look around the league. Then you're comparing yourself, trying to do too much, trying to do this, trying to do that instead of just going out and playing the game and focusing on each and every at-bat. So yeah, I try to block out all distractions. And I mean, [I’d] probably be a better player if I just stayed off my phone and didn't even read anything.”
You can’t knock Frazier’s approach. He is on the precipice of becoming an All-Star starter, and the Pirates are campaigning hard for that to happen. Frazier and every other Pirate who has spoken via Zoom during the team’s series against the Colorado Rockies has sat in front of three signs that say “Vote 4 Fraz.” He says he sees his own face constantly whenever he logs into Instagram on his phone.
“I don't really love the spotlight itself,” Frazier said. “I just try to go about my business and take care of what I need to take care of. I mean, I guess it's pretty cool to have the support and happy for that.”
What makes the whole campaign feel odd is that Frazier may not be a Pirate in a month or so. He is arguably the team’s best chip for the trade deadline at the end of July. That isn’t new for Frazier, either. He’s been at the center of trade discussions for the past two or three seasons now.
Things seem different this year, though. He’s always been a solid major leaguer, one who may not be flashy in any way but plays a good second base defensively, can shift to the outfield if needed and gives you good at-bats. The difference now is that he does all those things and is also one of the best hitters in MLB.
“I haven't really thought about it much,” Frazier said. “I've got a bunch of other stuff going on to worry about. And, you know, it's been going on for three years now. Just learn to be where my feet are and have a good time playing baseball and try to do everything I can to win a game every day. If it's in a Pirate uniform or somewhere else, it doesn't really matter. So I take care of what I can and I don't really get caught up in it.”
Frazier feels a bit like a throwback in the modern game. He doesn’t hit many homers — he has just three all season. He isn’t exactly boisterous on the field. He’s just a dependable, old-school type of player who is absolutely raking this season.
As for his in-game approach, Frazier says he’s just trying to put the ball in play at the plate. He’s achieved that more frequently than just about anyone in the league so far.
All of this is why teams like the Chicago White Sox and New York Yankees, smack dab in the middle of pennant races, have been rumored to be interested in Frazier. They pretty much know what they’re going to get from him, even if he falls off his current blistering pace.
For now, though, it seems he’ll be an All-Star in some capacity. Even if he isn’t voted in as a starter, it would be hard to keep him out as an alternate of some kind. For that game, he’ll try to keep things the same, too. The superstitions aren’t just for game days, after all. It’s just how Frazier operates daily.
“I think it's just more like an everyday thing. I don't think it matters what game it is,” Frazier said. “Might not pay attention to it as much. I couldn't tell you because I haven't [made an All-Star game before]. I mean, it's literally every part of every day.”
Mike Persak: mpersak@post-gazette.com and Twitter @MikeDPersak
First Published: June 30, 2021, 7:13 p.m.