Grading the Adam Frazier trade return for the Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pittsburgh Pirates made their first notable trade as we approach the MLB trade deadline. They sent utility man Adam Frazier to the Kansas City Royals in exchange for minor-league slugger Cam Devanney. So, how did the Pirates do in this deal? Did they come away with an under-the-radar player, or is this trade ultimately nothing to write home about?

To start, Frazier wasn't having a great year. He was only hitting .255/.318/.336 with a .290 wOBA and 82 wRC+ through 262 plate appearances. He was never much of a power hitter, but his .081 isolated slugging percentage marked the third time in the last four seasons he had a sub-.100 ISO. On the plus side, he continued to strike out at a low rate of 17.2%; however, that came with a mediocre 6.5% walk rate, the lowest of his career thus far.

For what it's worth, Frazier is still a solid defender at second base. He had +3 defensive runs saved and +2 outs above average at the keystone. It is also the first time since the Pirates initially dealt him at the 2021 trade deadline that Frazier graded out positively in both defensive metrics. Frazier has also seen playing time in both outfield corners this year, but has -2 DRS and -1 OAA, albeit in only 134.2 innings.

The positives from Frazier's game are the fact that he can still reach base at a respectable rate while providing playable defense at second base and the outfield corners, but his lack of power limits his offensive production. He is a decent nine-hole hitter who can play wherever he is needed. Frazier is also only a rental and will hit the open market again after 2025.

Grading Pirates' return in early Adam Frazier trade to KC Royals

The Pirates netted Cam Devanney, a relative unknown in these circles, by flipping Frazier. Devanney has toiled in the minor leagues since getting drafted in 2019, but is in the midst of a career year. Devanney is slashing .272/.366/.565 with a .402 wOBA and 137 wRC+ for the Royals' Triple-A affiliate. Devanney has always hit for power, and already has 18 home runs in only 288 plate appearances. His isolated slugging percentage falls just short of .300 at .293, which is a career best. 

Some of his numbers suggest his performance isn't complete smoke and mirrors. Devanney has a 19% barrel rate, which is the third-best among all Triple-A batters with at least 250 plate appearances, behind the consensus number one prospect in baseball, Roman Anthony, and Chicago Cubs top prospect Owen Caissie. His .387 xwOBA is also the third-best mark. Despite not ranking as a top 30 prospect by Baseball America or MLB Pipeline, FanGraphs ranked him as the Royals' 10th-best prospect. This may sound like a fleece by the Pirates, but there are some clear red flags.

Devanney has a 24.8% strikeout percentage and a whiff rate of 33.9%. His 11.8% walk rate is above-average, which helps offset some of his problems with strikeouts. However, if he struggles to make consistent contact at Triple-A, even with elite power numbers, it raises enormous questions about his ability to hit Major League pitching. Devanney is also 28 already. For what it's worth, he has been blocked by the likes of Bobby Witt Jr. and Maikel Garcia on the Royals, as well as Willy Adames, Brice Turang, Luis Urias, and Kolten Wong when he was in the Milwaukee Brewers' system.

Realistically speaking, the Pirates were not going to get back an impact prospect in a Frazier deal. He's a 33-year-old utility man with an 82 wRC+, and is a free agent when the season is over. However, what the Pirates ended up getting is more than what most likely expected. At best, Devanney is a power-hitting utility infielder, one who can play all four infield positions. The Pirates need a power bat, and now have the opportunity to give Devanney a chance to prove himself. But, at worst, the trade ends up being a wash, with neither team truly benefiting from the deal. 

Final Grade: A