Josh Harrison, Adam Frazier To Share Leadoff Duties
7 years agoJosh Harrison and Adam Frazier will both see time at the top of the Pittsburgh Pirates' lineup this season, The Athletic's Rob Biertempfel reports. Frazier batted leadoff more than any other Pirates hitter last season, but he is a utility man heading into 2018. Harrison, who is locked in as the starting second baseman, may see more time atop the batting order. Biertempfel adds that Corey Dickerson will also hit first at times. Frazier's lack of a clear path to consistent playing time makes him a risky fantasy bet, but Harrison should get a boost in runs from hitting in front of Josh Bell, Starling Marte, Gregory Polanco, and Dickerson on most days. Harrison does not bring the same speed he used to (just 12 steals in 2017), but he did set a career-high in home runs (16) last year. Whether he replicates that power is questionable, since his average exit velocity was a mere 84.1 mph, but he is a fine pickup late in drafts given his consistent batting average, positional versatility, and decent speed.
Source: Rob Biertempfel via Twitter
Source: Rob Biertempfel via Twitter