Pittsburgh Pirates: Todd Frazier Assuming the Role of Elder Statesman

The Pittsburgh Pirates will not have very many veterans on their roster in 2021, but one of them will be Todd Frazier who will be assuming the role of elder statesman

This season 35-year-old Todd Frazier will find himself on one of the youngest Pittsburgh Pirates rosters in recent memory. Over the course of the offseason the team has been focusing on rebuilding around younger talent. Gone are clubhouse leaders and mouthpieces like Josh Bell and Joe Musgrove. Both have been traded away for a cache of prospects that could become a part of the future of the organization. With the lingering possibility of a trade involving veteran Adam Frazier, the team is in need of experienced leadership, and that is where the elder Frazier comes in.

Why will Todd Frazier be a different voice in the clubhouse comparatively speaking to the recently departed Musgrove and Bell? In terms of MLB experience, he’s been there and done it. Frazier has played 10 MLB seasons for five different teams. He made his MLB debut in 2011 with the Cincinnati Reds while most of the current Pirate roster was still in elementary school.

Frazier is a two-time MLB All-Star, and has made postseason appearances three times, twice with the Reds, and once with the Yankees. In terms of what he will bring to the field, over the course of his 10 year career Frazier has a reputation as a dependable bat, and solid defensive skills. If he makes the MLB roster, and it would be a surprise if he does not, expect Frazier to platoon with Colin Moran at first base and assume the role of reserve third baseman.

Manager Derek Shelton has certainly not shied away from letting Frazier know where he stands with the team and why he was invited to Bradenton. Shelton recently told 93.7 The Fans Jeff Hathhorn, “He (Frazier) understands that we have a foundation. I was very honest with him about what we are doing and how we are doing it. And why we are doing it.”

Shelton knows the value of bringing in a veteran to guide the youth of the Pittsburgh Pirates especially the 24-year-old Ke’Bryan Hayes who is facing mounting expectations heading into this season. Early on in camp, Todd took notice of the young third baseman telling Hathhorn, “He’s a stud. He goes about his business the right way so far.”

The elder statesman of a team is not a role that Todd Frazier is necessarily used to, but it seems so far at camp a role that he is embracing telling Jake Crouse of MLB.com, “I want to preach to these young guys, you’re here for a reason. There’s going to be a lot of opportunities for you. Show them why you’re here.”

Frazier seems like he will be just fine with whatever role the Pittbsurgh Pirates will ask him to take on. Is he going to be a part of the future of the Pirates success? Probably not. However, he is exactly what the team needs now, a role model and a source of guidance. Absolutely.