Reds' prospect Todd Frazier puts himself on map with solid 2009

Todd Frazier rockin' the
Bats' cap.

Coming into the 2009 season, Todd Frazier was rated as the Cincinnati Reds' #2 prospect by the all-knowing Baseball America after owning the Reds' single-A system in 2008 while playing with Dayton and Billings. The 23-year-old Frazier continued to put on a show this year, raking at the dish while spending most of the season at double-A. In late August, Frazier was called up to Louisville and was an integral part of the Bats' successful stretch run that helped close out their second straight division title.

Despite movin' on up to triple-A during the final month of the season, Frazier was voted a Southern League all-star for his play with the Reds' double-A squad, the Carolina Mudcats. The right-hander, who earned all-star honors as a utility player, was leading the league in hits and doubles at the time of his ascension to Louisville. Once he suited up for the Bats, however, Frazier spent most of his time playing second base, including in the Bats' playoff series against Durham. Despite the rise in competition, Frazier posted his best career numbers this year, setting career highs in RBIs (77), hits (150), and doubles (45). In his brief stint with Louisville (20 games), Frazier continued to bat at the .300 mark, a trademark for him since starting with the Reds' organization as a rookie in 2006.

Even since his days as a wee lad, Frazier has been making clutch hits on the big stage, as evidenced by his performance in the 1998 Little League World Series, when he was a member of the team from Toms River, New Jersey that won the world championship. In the title game, Frazier helped his fellow rugrats down the Japanese with a 4-4 night at the plate. For his college ball, Frazier stayed in the northeast and went on to an illustrious career at the University of Rutgers. As a member of the Scarlet Knights in 2007, he was named the Big East's pre-season and post-season Player of the Year. His collegiate accolades, as well his ideal size that has developed into a six-foot-three, 220-pound frame, were part of the reason the Reds made him a first-round pick in the 2007 supplemental draft.

As we look ahead to 2010, it will be interesting if Frazier settles into the second base position, or if he continues to tour the diamond, as he did while being a utility man at the lower levels. Frazier's steady bat should continue to make him an intriguing prospect for Cincy, as this year he was ranked only behind 1B Yonder Alonso among Reds' prospects.