Chicago White Sox give frustrated Frazier the night off
Just when the Chicago White Sox got Jose Abreu up and running, they decided to take Todd Frazier down for repairs.
Heading into the season, Abreu and Frazier were expected to be a lethal one-two punch in the middle of the Sox's lineup.
In 2015, Abreu ranked among American League leaders with 30 home runs, 101 RBI and an .850 OPS.
Playing for the Cincinnati Reds a year ago, Frazier ranked among National League leaders with 35 homers, 89 RBI and an .806 OPS.
As Abreu sputtered through the first two months of the season, Frazier carried the White Sox's offense.
But once the calendar flipped to June, Abreu got hot and Frazier cooled to the tune of an 8-for-62 slump. After going 0-for-6 in Monday night's rousing 12-inning win over the Detroit Tigers, Frazier was on the bench Tuesday.
"Sometimes it's better to get off your feet and take a day," hitting coach Todd Steverson said.
Frazier tried talking his way back into the lineup, but manager Robin Ventura wasn't listening.
"I don't want see him try to grind it out in the cage because he's been trying to do that," Ventura said. "Just sit and watch, that's the best thing he can do, at least for his mind. He's frustrated, and you get to a point where sometimes more isn't really helping. So relax and watch."
Frazier's frustrations reached a boiling point Monday night when he struck out swinging with two on and two outs in the 10th inning. Normally mild mannered, Frazier slammed his bat on the ground before heading to the dugout.
"It is frustration that has come in," Frazier admitted. "But my mindset doesn't change every day when I come in here, focused on winning and being the best you can be and that's basically it. My spirits aren't down. I know we've got a good team here; we're still in the race and eventually once it does turn we're going to put some more numbers up."
Heading into Tuesday's play, Frazier was tied for second in the major leagues with 19 home runs, and he led the Sox with 43 RBI.
But the hitting line (.206/.301/.466) is not good, and Frazier has hit only 5 doubles after tying for third in the majors with 43 last season.
"It's the weirdest thing I've been involved in, hitting-wise," Frazier said. "Looking at the stats, the 5 doubles, I had almost 50 last year. It is a weird year for me. Every year is different, but this year particularly.
"I've never hit this low, average-wise. The numbers are still pretty good, when you're talking about power numbers. The RBIs are still there. You've got to keep focusing on the positive stuff and eventually it will turn. But it's taking a little longer, just like winning. It's taking us a little longer."
Ventura sat Abreu on May 22 when he was slumping and the move eventually paid off. The Sox are hoping Frazier benefits from the same treatment.
"He is a presence in the lineup, he can hit it out of the ballpark," Ventura said. "A guy that plays every day and can contribute the way he does, there's something to that. It makes your lineup a little deeper and they notice it when he's not in there, the other team.
"I think you have to sit there and think if it's worth it, and I think it's worth it for him going forward that he doesn't play tonight."