White Sox: Making A Case for Starting Matt Davidson
White Sox could start slugging third baseman more as offense continues to struggle. The South Siders don’t have much power currently in lineup.
Todd Frazier sat out of Tuesday’s Chicago White Sox 4-1win versus the Yankees due to flu-like symptoms. Utility man Yolmer Sanchez took over at third base on Tuesday, which marked Frazier’s third straight game out with an illness. Frazier’s stint out of the lineup comes at a very unfortunate time – for multiple reasons.
The 31-year old slugger is off to another horrible start and after signing only a one-year deal in the offseason, Frazier is losing his value on the team. Primarily to newcomer Matt Davidson, who is off to an explosive start and making a case for replacing the former All-Star Frazier at the hot corner.
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Davidson started Tuesday’s game at first base, as everyday first baseman Jose Abreu was given the night off defensively and hit in the designated hitter spot. Davidson has played in nearly every game this season and with good reason. The 24-year-old Davidson has been one of the team’s best players offensively.
Aside from the American League leading numbers that Avisail Garcia has been putting up, Davidson is leading the team in most of the hitting statistic categories. And even though it’s been said that Davidson’s potential is outstanding, many did not see him having this big of an impact this early on this season.
Davidson has the third-highest slugging percentage (.676), third-highest batting average (.297), second-most hits (11), RBI (10), runs (six) and home runs (three) on the team. His unexpected production is obviously something the White Sox should be very happy to see, but even more so because of the uncertain future of Frazier.
Frazier has not started off a season worse than this in his career. In eight games, he’s hitting .111 (3 for 27) with one double, one home run, and five strikeouts. This is not the kind of start that not only the Sox did not want to see, but especially Frazier.
While Frazier may not lose any playing time at third to Davidson any time soon, it should not be out of the question to give the young masher Davidson a try. Davidson has finally gotten the opportunity to display some of his potential and it looks like he can be a stud for the Sox in the big leagues.
The White Sox are currently in a rebuilding phase, but it won’t take long for the prospects in Triple-A Charlotte, and even Double-A Birmingham, to get their playing time in the Major Leagues. Frazier will most likely not be a part of the future of the White Sox, so the team should consider getting Davidson comfortable at third base, who could be just as productive if he continues to generate offense and improve his skills.
If the expectations for the team are not to win many games this season, the team has more to gain with Davidson at third and Frazier at DH, than vice versa. The only issue with that thought is Frazier could be considered a better defensive option than Davidson, but the more MLB reps for Davidson, the better.
The veteran third baseman however could be a potential trade target near the trading deadline. Teams that are contending for a championship, or close to contending, are more aggressive at the deadline because they are looking for one more piece to complete their rosters.
Frazier had a moderately-successful season last year, hitting a career-high 40 home runs, but also hitting a career-worst .226. So his value may have not been as high as when they signed him in 2015.
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Whether or not the White Sox choose to deal Frazier at the deadline or let him enter free agency at the end of the season, the organization can feel better knowing they have a potentially explosive player replacing him at third base in Davidson.