Cleveland Indians: Should the Tribe bring up Clint Frazier?

I know what you’re thinking. What about Zimmer? The Cleveland Indians have two talented prospects with them, but at just 21 years old it might be Frazier and not Zimmer who should get the first call-up.

Call it seasoning. Call it experience. Each team has its own reasons on why they leave players in the farm system for as long as they do. Sometimes, players simply tell you when its time like Kris Bryant and Kyle Schwarber did in Chicago. The did play college ball, so both were a little bit ahead of the curve. So what about Clint Frazier? Should the Tribe take a chance on him early in the 2016 season?

When you take a look at Frazier’s 2015 season, it doesn’t jump off the paper as anything exciting. A slash of .285/.377/.465 with 16 home runs and 72 RBIs at High-A Lynchburg. But from July 4th to the finale of the Carolina League season he slashed .335/.424/.558. That gives you an idea of how bad his start was to finish with the overall numbers as he did. His only real “hiccup” thus far was his time at Lake County in the Midwest League when his average suffered because of high swing and miss tendencies, batting just .266 in 120 games with 161 strikeouts. But with his power, that’s something you’ll have from time to time. In all honesty, as he moves up in the system he’s made strides with a better understanding of the strike zone and cutting down on his strikeout rate.

Right now the Indians’ outfield is one of their biggest question marks/concerns. It’s just a question mark for the team, but for fans, it’s a concern. Rajai Davis was a nice pickup, but he in all reality is just keeping center field warm for either Frazier or Bradley Zimmer. Frazier’s trajectory has him moving through the system quickly, which is why I see it worth taking the gamble on him early.

I was one who wanted to see Francisco Lindor earlier than we did. Everyone had a reason for WHY he wasn’t up, and that it wasn’t worth bringing him up. But in the end, it ended up worth it. Was it his time in the minors that helped him work things out? Probably not. He wasn’t exactly on fire before coming up. But everyone has a transition when starting a job at a new place–even stud ballplayers. Frankie figured it out and finished the runner-up (should have won) in the AL rookie of the Year race.

The stipulation for bringing up Frazier though would be consistent at-bats. It doesn’t mean that Terry Francona has to start him and run him out there every day. But he can’t sit on the bench for three days and get a start just against “favorable” matchups. It’s risky, I’ll admit that. But if he can continue to improve while doing it in Cleveland?

This is a talented Indians team–even if you might disagree. Many of the “pieces” needed to win are already in place. The decision not to trade Danny Salazar and Carlos Carrasco shows the front office realizes that. But with guys like Jason Kipnis and Michael Brantley–who between age and injury aren’t guaranteed prolonged success–the time to pull the trigger is now. Letting this talent waste away in the minors does no good, and having a stellar rotation with no run support isn’t either.