Player Review/Preview: Kevin Frandsen

Image Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Kevin Frandsen

Key 2013 Stats: .234 AVG/.296 OBP/.341 SLG/5 HR/26 RBI

What happened in 2013:

At the beginning of the season, Frandsen was a solid bench option.  He had a .835 OPS in the first half, and critics of the Michael Young trade argued that the team would have been better off had they given the third base job to Frandsen instead.

Frandsen’s second half made those critics reconsider.  His defense had never been viewed as a particularly strong suit, but Frandsen stopped contributing offensively as well, recording a measly .226 on-base percentage in the second half.  He was especially ineffective against right-handed pitching.  His .536 OPS against righties was simply not acceptable.

What to Expect in 2014:

Barring injuries, I doubt that Frandsen will be on the Phillies major league roster in 2014.  In Freddy Galvis and Cesar Hernandez, the Phillies have alternative options for the backup infield spots who are younger, cheaper, stronger defensively, and have more upside.  Perhaps Frandsen could stick around simply as a right-handed pinch hitter, but considering that Darin Ruf is likely to be a bench player in 2014, that role appears to be filled as well.

It appears as if there simply no place for Frandsen on the 2014 roster, and based on his poor 2013 season, that may be for the best.