Fraley launches two homers for Arkansas
Known more for his strong glove and speed, Jake Fraley is now seeing his power emerge early this season.The 14th-ranked Seattle prospect collected a career-best two homers on a 4-for-5 night with four RBIs and three runs scored as Double-A Arkansas topped Frisco, 13-2, on Thursday night at Dr Pepper Ballpark.
Known more for his strong glove and speed,
The 14th-ranked Seattle prospect collected a career-best two homers on a 4-for-5 night with four RBIs and three runs scored as Double-A Arkansas topped Frisco, 13-2, on Thursday night at Dr Pepper Ballpark.
Fraley has hits in five of the past seven games -- going 11-for-28 -- to raise his average 60 points to .306.
On Thursday, the 2016 second-round pick singled to right field in the first inning off RoughRiders starter
"I knew what they were trying to do, the way they were attacking me," said Fraley, who went 5-for-18 with a homer and three RBIs in that series. "The way our schedule worked out, we faced Frisco last week. They came in hard on me and I did well, I did some damage.
Gameday box score
"[For the start of the current three-game series,] they switched up -- soft away and hard in.
Fraley struck out in his third at-bat against Martinez, but highlighted the Travelers' six-run sixth with his second long ball of the game, a two-run shot to right-center off righty
Facing lefty
"That's the cool thing about baseball. The game is over and I'm 0-for-0. I'll eat, go to sleep and we'll play again tomorrow. You have to take everything with a grain of salt," said Fraley, acquired as part of the trade that sent Mike Zunino to Tampa last November.
As for his power surge, the 6-foot center fielder is confident he can deliver 12 to 15 homers each year. "I changed my swing two offseasons ago," the Maryland native said. "Last year, the power numbers would have been there," but he noted the Florida State League ballparks are not launching pads. "I crushed some balls last year that were flyouts, maybe even off the walls. Here, the balls have started carrying. I do what I do every day. I hone my craft and work."
Fourth-ranked Mariners prospect
Frisco's
MLB.com's No. 86 overall prospect
Duane Cross is a contributor to MiLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @DuaneCrossMiLB.