Adam Frazier has been removed from the Pirates' leadoff spot following two months’ worth of offensive struggles to begin the season.
The second baseman was dropped to eighth in the batting order for Thursday night’s game against the Brewers at PNC Park by Clint Hurdle. Frazier flip flopped spots with Kevin Newman, who was moved up to No. 1.
“We’re going to go ahead and going to give it some legs,” Hurdle said of the move with Frazier. “He’s had 50-some games hitting leadoff and hadn’t gotten the bat where we need it. Newman has managed his at-bats very well. He’s hit the ball line-to-line and had really good at-bats.”
Frazier is hitting .250/.303/.352 with three home runs in 48 games this season. In 176 career games as a leadoff hitter, the second baseman has a .255/.314/.363 line.
Newman has been a pleasant surprise so far this season as he has batted .347/.410/.493 with one home run. Last year in his debut season, he hit just .209/.247/.231 line in 31 games.
Thursday marks Newman’s third career start in the top spot of the order. However, he says hitting leadoff does not change his approach.
“We have a lot of big boppers in the order, so it’s just a matter of getting on base and giving them the opportunity to drive in runs,” Newman said.
Newman will make his 12th start of the season at shortstop Thursday. He has also started five games at second base and two at third.
“It’s fun,” Newman said of playing multiple positions. “It makes things interesting.”
