New York Yankees: Debating Todd Frazier vs Mike Moustakas

Postseason Experience/Success

Whoever the New York Yankees have play third base in 2018, he’ll be expected to help them win a World Series. As the 2017 Yankees showed, winning a title is difficult so it helps to have as much postseason experience as possible.

Todd Frazier has made it to the playoffs three times in his career. In 2012, Frazier and the Cincinnati Reds lost to the San Francisco Giants in the NLDS in five games. Frazier played in four of those games and went 1-for-6. In 2013, the Reds made the second Wild Card spot but lost the one-game playoff to the Pittsburgh Pirates and Frazier went 1-for-4 with a double.

Frazier’s third trip to the postseason was in 2017 with the Yankees. New York obviously fell one game short of the World Series, losing to the eventual champion Houston Astros in the ALCS in seven games. Although Frazier made the playoffs exciting with his celebrations and support, he again did not have much success offensively. Frazier went 8-for-43 (.186) but was able to hit two doubles, a home run, and drive in five runs.

Overall, Frazier is just a .189 career hitter in the postseason. His presence and love for the game certainly play an important role in a team making the playoffs, but once the team gets there, Frazier can’t be counted on to contribute much at the plate.

The beginning of Mike Moustakas’s career in Kansas City was part of a rebuild and he endured some pretty tough seasons, resulting in just two trips to the playoffs. Those postseason runs were significant, however, as he helped the Royals reach the Fall Classic both years.

In 2014, Moustakas hit .231 in 15 games but hit five home runs, drove in seven runs, and scored nine. Seven of Moustakas’s 12 hits went for extra bases, resulting in a .558 slugging percentage. Unfortunately, the Royals would lose to the San Francisco Giants in the World Series in seven games.

In 2015, “Moose” helped get Kansas City back to the World Series despite hitting .215 in 16 games. Moustakas hit one homer and was able to drive in eight runs as the Royals beat the New York Mets in five games to finish what they started the year before.

Overall, Moustakas is a below-average .222 career hitter in the postseason but does have six homers, 15 RBI, and 14 runs in 31 games. He also has a World Series ring.

Neither third baseman has been particularly impressive in the playoffs, but the numbers favor Mike Moustakas and both of his postseason runs have gone to the World Series, including winning a title.

Postseason Experience/Success – Advantage Mike Moustakas