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Adam Frazier signed as a free agent with the Seattle Mariners ahead of the 2022 MLB season. What is the fantasy baseball impact of this move and what is his outlook at second base?
In one of the more underrated moves this off-season, the Seattle Mariners acquired second baseman, Adam Frazier from the San Diego Padres. “He makes us a better, more complete team,” Mariners president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto said of Frazier. “He does the things winning teams value.”
He will head to the American League for the first time in his career and is expected to be the team's starting second baseman in 2022. Here's how the trade broke down:
Mariners receive: 2B Adam Frazier
Padres receive: LHP Ray Kerr, OF Corey Rosier
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A Deeper Look at Adam Frazier's 2021 Season
The 29-year-old started the 2021 season with the Pittsburgh Pirates before being dealt to the Padres before the MLB Trade Deadline. He slashed .305/.368/.411 with five home runs, 43 RBI, 83 runs scored, and 10 stolen bases over 639 plate appearances in 2021. Frazier is a solid defender and gives the Mariners an upgrade at the keystone.
Let's start by checking his batting line across the major roto categories.
2021: .305/.368/.411, 83 R, 43 RBI, 5 HR, 10 SB
Adam Frazier started in the All-Star game as a member of the Pirates before being traded to the Padres in late July. The Missippi State Product hit .324 for the Pirates (helped by a .359 BABIP) before the trade and hit just .267 (.299 BAIP) with the Padres after the deal. He did close out the season slashing .318/.381/.420 over his last 28 games. Frazier doesn't hit for much power but makes a ton of contact and adds versatility as he can play in the outfield.
The 29-year-old owned a 114wRC+, and his 10.8K% was in the top-five among qualified hitters last season. All he does is hit; the former Pirate should score plenty of runs and provide a boost at the top of Seattle's batting order. Check out his Statcast data below:
Frazier sprayed the ball over the field last year but didn't make much hard contact in those at-bats. His two percent barrel and hard-hit rate were among the lowest in the league. The 29-year-old hit for average and chipped in 10 steals, but fantasy managers can't expect too much in other categories for 2022.
• Craig Kimbrel has allowed just 1 H through 9.0 IP so far
He had a ~183 ADP this offseason & is proving to be one of the better closer values in fantasy early-on
• Adam Frazier is batting .329 over 70 ABs with 2 SB
He can hit for BA, just don’t expect many HR/SB
— Fantasy Central (@FantasyCentral1) April 23, 2021
2022 Outlook with the Mariners
Frazier will either leadoff or hit second behind shortstop J.P. Crawford for the Mariners in 2022. He will set the table for Ty France and Mitch Haniger, leading to more run-scoring opportunities. Frazier will have dual eligibility between second base and outfield as the team plans to play him in left field on occasion. "Frazier is the team's second baseman, but we also believe there are a lot of opportunities to move him into left field and maximize the handedness matchups," said Dipoto.
The Mariners' offense could be better than last year if their top prospect outfielders Jarred Kelenic and Julio Rodriguez produces right away. According to MLB Insider Robert Murray, Seattle could be interested in acquiring free-agent star shortstop Trevor Story or third baseman Kris Bryant; either player would significantly boost the lineup.
In addition to Kris Bryant, the Seattle Mariners are expressing interest in free-agent infielder Trevor Story, according to sources familiar with the situation. Seattle has already added Robbie Ray and Adam Frazier, but continue to seek an impact bat.
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) December 1, 2021
Steamer projections have Frazier with a .264/.328/.380 slash line with 10 homers and a 100wRC+.
2022 Fantasy Outlook
Frazier had an ADP of 417 in NFBC Leagues in 2021 and certainly helped fantasy managers in batting average and on-base percentage. His .305 batting average in 2021 is an outlier as he's posted a .258 average over the last three years. Frazier has an ADP of 316 in the latest NFBC 2022 drafts, with 219 being the highest and 379 the lowest. He proved he can hit for average while chipping in a few steals and should provide fantasy managers a solid reserve option at second baseman/middle infielder in most leagues. Steamer projects Frazier to slash .264/.328/.380 with 10 home runs, 52 RBI, 68 runs scored, and eight stolen bases over 592 plate appearances in 2022.
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