A Bad Week Could Be Looming & More Takeaways From Pittsburgh Pirates Series Loss vs Dodgers

(Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
(Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – MAY 24: Adam Frazier #26 of the Pittsburgh Pirates turns a double play in front of Walker Buehler #21 of the Los Angeles Dodgers during the sixth inning at PNC Park on May 24, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – MAY 24: Adam Frazier #26 of the Pittsburgh Pirates turns a double play in front of Walker Buehler #21 of the Los Angeles Dodgers during the sixth inning at PNC Park on May 24, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /

The Pirates need a new lead off hitter

Despite his strong game on Sunday afternoon, Adam Frazier is having a poor season for the Pirates. The team’s second baseman is slashing just .250/.302/.356 with a .287 wOBA and a wRC+ of 78.

All of these numbers are career lows for Frazier. So is his 5.9% walk rate and 27% hard contact rate. So, not only is Frazier walking less than ever he is making less hard contact than ever.

A .302 OBP simply is not going to cut it for a lead off man. Especially in a lineup like the Pirates that can be offensively challenged at times.

Frazier is also struggling defensively. He entered play on Sunday with a defensive WAR of 0.5 which is 15th in the NL among qualified second basemen. He added to his defensive woes by committing an error on Sunday. But Frazier’s poor defense is a topic for another day.

So, who should bat lead off? Well, that is some thing that we will get into on the site later this week. Make sure to check back later in the week for the answer to that question.