STARKVILLE — Watching Adam Frazier in 2013, Mississippi State baseball fans knew he was destined for big things.
After spending nearly three years in the minor leagues, the former Bulldog finally got his shot in Major League Baseball. The Pittsburgh Pirates called up Frazier from the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians Friday, making him the 55th MSU player to reach the big leagues.
Frazier entered Friday night’s game against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the sixth inning as part of a double switch. In his first big league at bat, the second baseman singled up the middle off J.P. Howell for his first-career MLB hit. The Pirates won 8-6.
Frazier played shortstop for the Bulldogs from 2011-13. As a junior in 2013, he set the single-season hit record with 107 hits, the most in the NCAA that season. He helped MSU advance to the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska. MSU lost to UCLA in the national championship series to finish as national runner-up.
The 2013 team was loaded with talent as seven players were taken in the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. He is the third member of that class to make his MLB debut. Kendall Graveman is in the starting rotation for the Oakland Athletics, while Chad Girodo has spent time with the Toronto Blue Jays. Jacob Lindgren was drafted in 2014, but was on the 2013 team. Lindgren has pitched for the New York Yankees.
Hunter Renfroe was taken 13th overall by the San Diego Padres in 2013. He and Jonathan Holder — drafted in 2014 but the closer of the 2013 team — are both on the verge of being called up. Holder currently plays for the Double-A Trenton Thunder.
Frazier is the third Bulldog to make his MLB debut this season. Girodo was called up in April. Pitcher Chris Stratton, who was drafted in 2012, made his debut with the San Francisco Giants against the Atlanta Braves May 30. He pitched a scoreless inning and recorded two strikeouts that day.
Frazier has batted above .300 in three of his four seasons in the minors, with his highest average coming this season in Indianapolis. The Bishop, Georgia, native currently has an International League-leading .333 clip (87 for 261) with 22 RBIs, 16 doubles and four triples. He also currently holds a .401 on-base percentage and a .370 slugging percentage, both career highs.
Follow Dispatch sports writer Ben Wait on Twitter @bcwait
Ben Wait reports on Mississippi State University sports for The Dispatch.
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