Frazier, Reynolds set example for young Bucs

July 12th, 2021
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PITTSBURGH -- From a Pirates team that sits 22 games under .500 at the start of the All-Star break came two All-Stars and other names worthy of consideration.

These are big personal achievements for second baseman , a starter in the All-Star Game, and center fielder , a reserve. But these are also big wins for an organization that is looking to the future.

It’s more than just an organizational win at the Major League level, though when you succeed on a team that is building a new foundation and will be selling at the Trade Deadline, accolades and strong performances also invariably correspond to stronger trade value.

Sometimes, the necessary haul to ship out an All-Star player will likely be too high to make a move realistic, as will likely be the case with Reynolds, who is not set to be a free agent until 2026. But in Frazier’s case, his exceptional play in the first half -- and contract status (under team control through the '22 season) -- has teams inquiring and gauging interest.

“We’re happy he’s a Pirate. He helps us every day,” general manager Ben Cherington told 93.7 The Fan this month. “Other teams like him, too.”

However, the biggest thing that Cherington takes away from Frazier and Reynolds being named to the All-Star Game has nothing to do with value, nor is it simply being glad for them. In a system built on player development on an individual level while growing a base of talent, these two players set an example for the younger players in the organization.

Take Frazier, for instance. Being drafted in the sixth round in 2013 is certainly nothing to scoff at, but given he’s one of the favorites to lead the league in hits this season, it’s safe to say that many slept on him as a premium talent.

Frazier wasn’t seen as having a high ceiling, with limited raw power that he had to incrementally build up in the Minors. He was unanimously left off preseason Top 100 Draft prospects lists. Now, he’s Pittsburgh's everyday second baseman and leadoff batter.

“Guess what? He just kept grinding and getting better and better and better, so good for him,” Cherington said. “So as we look to when we’re going to win, we’re going to need lots and lots of players doing things like that.”

In fact, only six of the 178 players drafted ahead of Frazier in 2013 have accumulated more bWAR than him to this point in their respective careers.

Meanwhile, Reynolds has been one of the best outfielders in all of Major League Baseball this season. Though he didn’t crack the top 20 in balloting during Phase 1 of fan voting for the All-Star Game starters, his 3.2 fWAR entering Friday’s slate of games was the fifth-highest mark among all outfielders.

That kind of production doesn’t just earn you All-Star honors. In a smaller market like Pittsburgh, it earns you a spot in the conversation of a “franchise cornerstone.” Reynolds is only three years into his big league career, so time will tell if he becomes that. And while Cherington shies away from thinking of players as such, he doesn’t doubt that Reynolds’ impressive results speak for itself.

“Bryan certainly could be one of those [cornerstones] and has been that this year,” Cherington said. “I hope it for him, because he’s earned it.”

Though one of these players could be gone come the end of July, both have made an impact on the Pirates organization both through their play this season and All-Star nominations. As the club acquires a lot of new talent this month through the Draft and Trade Deadline, it'll have a couple of players to point to as examples of what hard work and playing the right way looks like.

“I think the way it helps the team, from my perspective, is it reinforces the things that we need to do and players need to do to perform well,” Cherington said. “So it is an affirmation that if you prepare really well and consistently every single day … if you practice well, if you get a lot out of your practice, if you’re tough, if you’re resilient, if you find ways to help a team on the field during games, then that will be recognized. And we need lots of players to do that.”

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Jake Crouse is a reporter for MLB.com.