Cincinnati Reds 2014 offensive player of the year: Todd Frazier

Heading into the 2014 season, there were questions on how Todd Frazier would perform. His 2012 rookie season was one many players dream of as the players themselves voted him the National League Rookie of the Year. The writers saw different in handing the award to Washington’s Bryce Harper. Semantics, I guess…

Here’s a look at how 2012 and 2014 compare statistically:

2012: .273/.331/.498, 19 HR, 67 RBI in 128 games
2014: .273/.336/.459, 29 HR, 80 RBI in 157 games

Recall that Frazier was not on the 25-man roster at the beginning of 2012. Well, he was until the Reds claimed Alfredo Simon off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles. Instead of heading to Cincinnati for the 2012 Opening Day, he was sent to Louisville for the onset of the season.

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One thing to notice here is that Frazier maintained his health playing in those 157 games. Considering the injury issues the Reds faced this past season, that was a wonderful sight. In fact, Frazier was one of only two Reds to play in at least 150 games. The other was Billy Hamilton (152).

Looking back at 2013 (.234/.314/.407, 19 HR, 73 RBI in 150 games), it does not compare favorably to that of 2012 or 2014. You glance at the numbers and realize the Todd Father struggled at the plate. The positive from that was Frazier began to solidify himself as a good defensive third baseman.

The bat woke up in 2014 and the glove was as solid as ever. Add that Frazier was selected to the NL All-Star squad and was also a participant in the Home Run Derby undoubtedly put him on the radar of more baseball fans.

And Frazier’s overall value was once again on display. With Joey Votto missing 100 games (that whole injury thing), Frazier stepped in and played a few games at first base. Have glove, will travel. And his defense as a first baseman was not a negative as he posted a DRS of 1. As a third baseman, his DRS was 7.

With his 20 stolen bases and 29 home runs (which led the team and ranked him in the top ten in the NL), Frazier became the latest Red to become a member of the 20-20 club. The last to do so occurred just last season when the now departed Shin-Soo Choo clubbed 21 home runs and swiped 20 bags.

I could have chosen Mesoraco as the team’s top bat for 2014 seeing as Mes posted a season few thought was possible. That was the reason I made him the team’s breakout star. Naming Frazier as its offensive player of the year also seems fitting.