Todd Frazier making huge bid for NL Rookie



7 years of age is a huge difference in an athletes career but 26 year old utility player Todd Frazier of the Cincinnati Reds doesn't show any signs of slowing down. Slowing down in the 2012 NL Rookie race that is.
   So far this 2012 season, much hype has surrounded Bryce Harper, the 19-year old outfielder for the Washington Nationals. He's been decent with the stick and contributing well to the best team in baseball now (The 66-43 Nats) even with him at the age where he can't legally enjoy a cold one after a team win. But even with the media preaching everything about the young superstar, if you dig a little deeper, you'll find NL rookies such as Wade Miley, Zack Cozart, Norichika Aoki, and more, who are making a better bid than Harper for the NL Rookie. One of the other rookies making a better bid is 26 year old Todd Frazier. Frazier was a shortstop in college at Rutgers but converted to a third baseman/left fielder once in the majors. In 2011 he played 41 games for the Reds putting up an acceptable .232 batting average. He was not eligable for the NL Rookie award because he only had 112 at bats when 130 is the standard for a rookie. This season though, he has played 82 games for the Reds with 261 at bats and a .268 batting average. Compare this to Harper who has played 87 games, had 343 at bats, and an acceptable .257 batting average. Not only does Frazier have a better batting average in less games, he also has more home runs (13 to Harpers 10), a better Slugging (.517 to Harpers .420), a better On-Base Plus Slugging (.842 to Harpers .751), and finally more RBI's (42 to Harpers 30). Sure there are some stats the Harper is beating Frazier such as stolen bases or On-Base Percentage but overall the stats are on Frazier's side.

   With Votto out with an injury, Frazier had to fill in at first base which is not his normal position and not to mention, those are huge shoes to fill. He has done a fine job at first base and it has shown as the Reds are tied with the Nats for the best team in baseball (66-43) and are 7-3 in their last 10. The pressure must've been unbearable for Frazier but he pushed through which is another aspect about him; he performs under pressure.

   Both kids are fantastic ball players but I feel that not enough light is being shined on Todd Frazier. He has been nothing but phenomenal this season and definitley deserves to be considered with all the NL rookies at the end of the season. People say the media overblows stories, which is true, but this time their under-blowing the story and amazing season of Todd Frazier.

Twitter: @BaseballBo
(All Stats used from www.baseball-reference.com) Follow @BaseballBo