CLEVELAND — It was a better night for Clint Frazier.
Though the Yankees left fielder finished hitless in two at-bats, he walked twice and he nearly crushed a two-run home run, except his long fly in the second inning landed harmlessly just in front of the center-field wall in a 5-3 win over the Indians at Progressive Field on Friday.
Frazier tagged the deep fly at 106 mph and it had an expected batting average of .770.
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But Frazier’s actual batting average fell to .156 with a .483 OPS in 45 at-bats. He’s got just one hit in his last 19 plate appearances and his only multi-hit game came on Opening Day.
Hitting coach Marcus Thames spoke to reporters prior to the win. He said he didn’t believe Frazier’s batting stance had changed from 2020, when he had a breakout season at the plate and was nominated for a Gold Glove in right field.
Instead, Thames said, it’s been Frazier’s decision-making.
“With Clint, he’s in between,” Thames said. “He’s got to get back on the fastball. I think he’s doing a little bit too much. … We’ve got to see him being a little bit more aggressive because he’s getting pitches to hit, but he just can’t pull the trigger. So, just keeping him positive. Just letting him know what guys are trying to do to him and he’s got to be committed to what his game plan is.”
Frazier hit .267 with eight homers, 26 RBI and a .905 OPS in 39 games last year.
Manager Aaron Boone declared Frazier the Yankees’ starting left fielder in spring training, but with his scuffles of late, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him sit vs. Cleveland ace Shane Bieber on Saturday night.
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Brendan Kuty may be reached at bkuty@njadvancemedia.com. Tell us your coronavirus story or send a tip here.