Clint Frazier could not have expected his major league debut to come under the circumstances it did. He only received his call-up because fellow prospect Dustin Fowler suffered a devastating injury just an inning into his debut on Thursday night. Nevertheless, the new york yankees called upon his services for the first time on Saturday night. He made sure to deliver with a night not seen in team history for quite some time -- if ever.
Frazier makes memorable debut
After his call-up, manager Joe Girardi put Frazier in the starting lineup, but largely hid him -- he was playing right field (the same spot Fowler played) and batted last in the order.
That didn't prevent him from making an impact, though. He struck out swinging during his first at-bat in the third inning. His second time up was much more successful, as the No. 2 prospect in the Yankees system laced a double to left field for his first career hit.
Things were about to get a whole lot better, though. After a five-run sixth inning, Frazier came up to lead the seventh inning as well. On a 1-2 count, the right fielder drove it just over the left field wall for his first big league home run. The telecast immediately showed his attending family celebrating the accomplishment. He became the first member of the Yankees to homer and double in his debut in over a century. He also became the youngest member of the Yankees to homer in their debut since a 20-year old John Ellis did it in 1969; Frazier is two months short of his 23rd birthday.
In his first MLB game, Clint Frazier goes yard off Tony Sipp for his first Major League dinger 😳🔥pic.twitter.com/DOuUpwPMUg
— Baseball King™ (@BasebaIlKing) July 2, 2017
In a losing Yankees effort
Despite a dazzling debut from Frazier, the Yankees couldn't pull out a victory on the road against the MLB-best Houston Astros. Houston won by a final of 7-6.
Yuli Gurriel knocked in four runs, including a game-winning two-run double in the bottom of the eighth inning off Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman. The loss dropped New York to 43-36, while boosting Houston to a 55-27 record.
Nevertheless, the Yankees should feel encouraged about their performance, despite the implosion of their bullpen.
The team could have remained devastated in the wake of Fowler's season-ending injury. Instead, they rallied together behind Frazier, utilizing a "next man up" philosophy that has become the envy of baseball circles. Even though young players keep getting injured, the team is in the thick of the AL East and Wild Card races, a testament to the high caliber performances they are giving this season.
