PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Todd Frazier is headed back to the area as the former Rutgers baseball standout was traded from the Chicago White Sox to the New York Yankees on Tuesday night. The Point Pleasant, New Jersey, native will be a free agent after the season is expected to see time at third base and first base for the Bronx Bombers.
"I rooted for the Yankees. I just love baseball," Frazier told MLB.com. "My first [game] was at old Yankee Stadium. I remember the upper deck was shaking, and to call New York my home now is surreal."
"Todd will provide a lot of energy to the team, that's just the type of player that he is," said director of baseball operations Glen Gardner, who recruited and coached Frazier at Rutgers. "Yankee Stadium, as we know, can be great for hitters and he might use right field a little bit more which will raise his average. He has the power to hit it out anywhere. I think this is a great trade for the Yankees and something that will help them in the pennant race."
In 81 games with the White Sox this year, Frazier has a .761 OPS with 16 home runs and 44 RBIs, hitting .234/.328/.432 since the start of June. In 2016, the slugger set career highs with 40 home runs and 98 RBIs in his first season in Chicago. Frazier owns 164 career long balls with 466 RBIs, 435 runs and 62 stolen bases since breaking into the big leagues with the Cincinnati Reds in 2011. The two-time MLB All-Star won the 2015 Home Run Derby.
One of the most accomplished players in Rutgers history, Frazier ranks first in the RU record book with 42 career home runs and 210 runs during his three seasons (2005-07) in Piscataway. He hit .377 with 93 hits, 24 doubles, 22 home runs, 65 RBIs, 62 walks and 25 stolen bases in a memorable All-America 2007 season that saw the Scarlet Knights win the Big East regular season and tournament. Frazier batted .520 (13-for-25) with three homers and seven RBIs in the tournament held in Brooklyn to help lead Rutgers to an NCAA Regional berth. He was selected by Cincinnati as the 34th overall selection in 2007.
