Pittsburgh Pirates Wake Up Call – Frazier’s return provides offensive boost

Our daily Wake-Up Call gets you ready for the day with a look at all things Pittsburgh Pirates.

To say the return of Adam Frazier to the Pittsburgh Pirates lineup is a welcomed sight would be a huge understatement.

Frazier, who has arguably been one of the Pirates most valuable assets this season, returned in game one of the Pirates series with the Arizona Diamondbacks after being placed on the 10-day disabled list April 24.

Frazier landed on the DL with a left hamstring strain and was activated Friday along with third baseman David Freese.

It’s no secret that the Pirates offense has struggled as of late and has underachieved as a whole this season. The Bucs are 29th in all of baseball with a .224 team batting average, just four points ahead of the San Diego Padres.

As crazy as it may sound, Frazier brings a bit of hope back to the Pirates lineup.

Despite going 0 for 1 in pinch hit appearance Friday and 1 for 5 while leading off and playing in left field Saturday, Frazier exploded for a three-hit game yesterday as the Pirates beat the Diamondbacks to salvage a series split. Frazier went 3 for 5 in yesterday’s game while walking once.

Frazier is now hitting .317 on the season and brings back a stellar presence to the top of the Pirates lineup. Frazier also gives the Pirates another outfield option along with Jose Osuna, Gregory Polanco and Andrew McCutchen.

Things haven’t been going well for the Bucs and it’s easy to sense and understand the frustration of fans. On the other hand, the team has had to overcome a ton of adversity in the first month and a half of the season, and even with that, they are still just six games back in the divisional race.

It’s very difficult to think the team has much of a chance in a talented National League Central division that has a good St. Louis team, underrated teams from Milwaukee and Cincinnati, and an underperforming Chicago team that is bound to improve as the year progresses.

However, starters like Frazier and Freese returning to the lineup are definitely positives moving forward for the struggling Bucco lineup.

Sponsored By

Baseball Talk Around the Web

• Ex MLB umpire Palermo dies at 67.
• MLB teams hit 52 home runs Saturday, the second most one day total in last 10 years.

Subscribe To Pirates Breakdown Radio

Our podcast feed has been reborn as Pirates Breakdown Radio. On one singular feed, you will find a variety of shows, interviews, quick hits and much more. All designed to keep Pittsburgh Pirates fans informed and entertained no matter where they are.

We are on all the major podcast platforms, including iTunes and Google Play. So whether or not you have an Android or an iPhone/iPad, click on the corresponding button below to get subscribed!

Download Our Mobile Apps

The introduction of our new FREE Mobile Apps gets fans closer to their favorite Pittsburgh Pirates coverage than ever before. Click here to learn about some of the features of our new app – or, if you just can’t wait, click the corresponding app store for your device and grab your copy now.

Thanks for checking us out here at Pirates Breakdown. Please make sure to follow us on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook for the best Pirates coverage all year long!