Adam Frazier makes happy return to Baltimore

BALTIMORE—Adam Frazier, who had many unforgettable moments for the 2023 Orioles, is back in Baltimore with his new team, the Kansas City Royals.

Frazier, who signed a one-year $2 million contract with the Royals on January 30^th, set career highs in home runs (13) and RBIs (60) while tying his high of 11 stolen bases with a .240 batting average.

“It’s so early. I feel like I haven’t left,” Frazier said about his return to Oriole Park. ”A lot of good memories. I miss those guys, so it’s good to be back.”

While the 32-year-old second baseman waited to choose his new team for 2024, he reflected on last season.

“A good bit, ended on a sour note,” Frazier said of the Division Series loss to Texas. “We didn’t get swept all year until that series, so that was tough. It was a fun run, and I wished we could have finished that off a little better.”

Frazier echoes the prevailing thought in baseball that the Orioles are a potent team.

“The sky’s the limit. Everybody gets a glimpse of Gunnar [Henderson] every night, Adley {Rutschman], Grayson Rodriguez, those young guys. Cedric Mullins is really a special player, Austin Hays, [Anthony] Santander. It’s one through nine, and then the whole bench. We talked about that last year.

“Everybody knows [Jackson] Holliday is coming at some point. There’s a lot of other guys that are coming, too. It could be whatever they want to make it. The team’s that talented. I’m sure [executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias] and his staff are going to do everything they can the next days. The window’s already started, and who knows how long that window’s going to be opened?”

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde saw outfielder Aaron Hicks in the team’s opening series against the Los Angeles Angels, and now he gets to see Frazier.

“I love those guys,” Hyde said. “Fraze did so much just like [pitcher Jordan Lyles] did the year before, and he’s over there, too. What Fraze did for our club last year, the leadership he showed. That’s a great sign for the Kansas City Royals, from what he’s going to bring with toughness in the locker room, toughness on the field, loves to win, total team guy.

“He was a real pleasure to have. We’d talk about everything. He talked about how the team played, so it was like having another coach. He held guys responsible, and held guys accountable also, and that’s always nice to have when you have a young club, so Fraze is a great fit over there, and I hope he plays really well after our series here and after our series in Kansas City [April 19^th-21^st].”

The Orioles did show some interest in retaining Frazier for 2024.

“There was a chance,” Frazier said. “We talked a little bit. With Holliday coming, some other guys, Jordan Westburg, too. I could have gone back and played once or twice a week probably. At this point in my career, I think I can still play like every day stuff. Who knows?

“You never know what’s going to be down the road. If I end up back there at some point in my career, that will be great, too, but I’m going to take it one day at a time and see where I end up.”