Adam Frazier Baseball Cards: A Look at the Career of the Pittsburgh Pirates Infielder
Adam Frazier has established himself as a reliable major league infielder since making his MLB debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2016. While he may not be one of baseball’s biggest stars, Frazier has proven to be a steady contributor at the plate and defensively for the Pirates over the past several seasons. As a result, Adam Frazier baseball cards have grown in popularity among collectors. Let’s take an in-depth look at Frazier’s career so far and examine some of his notable baseball cards.
Frazier was drafted by the Pirates in the 7th round of the 2013 MLB Draft out of the University of Mississippi. He quickly rose through the Pirates’ farm system, making his MLB debut just three years later in 2016. In his rookie season, Frazier appeared in 47 games and hit .301 with an .806 OPS in 141 plate appearances. While he didn’t play an everyday role, Frazier showed promise that has been reflected in the values of his early career cards from Topps, Panini, and other manufacturers.
One of Frazier’s most iconic rookie cards is his 2016 Topps Series 1 base card. Featuring a clean photo of Frazier at the plate in his Pirates road gray uniform, this affordable rookie card remains one of the best options for collectors looking to add a piece of Frazier’s early career to their collections. PSA 10 gem mint copies in particular command a slight premium due to the card’s status as one of Frazier’s first widely available rookie issues.
In 2017, Frazier became a full-time starter for the Pirates and enjoyed a breakout season. He played in 150 games and set career highs with a .302 batting average, 12 home runs, and 62 RBIs. This breakout performance increased interest in Frazier cards from that season, like his 2017 Topps Series 2 base card showing off his smooth left-handed swing. Higher-end parallels and autographs from 2017 also rose in value as Frazier established himself as an everyday player.
Frazier continued to be a steady offensive contributor for the Pirates over the next two seasons, batting .277 with a .734 OPS in 2018 and hitting .278 with 10 home runs in 2019. While he didn’t take that next step into true stardom, Frazier solidified his role on the team. Correspondingly, his base cards from 2018-2019 have found a solid niche among collectors. Of particular note are his 2018 Topps Chrome refractors and 2019 Topps Series 2 cards, which remain reasonably priced for those looking to add these solid on-field performances to their PC’s.
In 2020, Frazier was limited to just 41 games due to the shortened season and time on the injured list with a left oblique strain. He still hit well with a .230/.340/.370 slash line when healthy. This injury-plagued season makes his 2020 cards a bit of a gamble in terms of long-term value, but they provide an interesting data point in the progression of his career. Standouts include his 2020 Topps Series 2 base card and Topps Chrome rookie auto, the latter of which remains one of the more coveted Frazier signed cards due to the RC designation.
Traded to the Padres midway through the 2021 season, Frazier enjoyed a career year split between Pittsburgh and San Diego. In 136 total games, he posted personal bests of .305/.390/.443 hitting with the fifth-best batting average in the National League. This career year has elevated the values of Frazier’s 2021 cards across the board. Top-tier parallels and autographs from flagship products like Topps Series 2, Bowman, and Topps Chrome are some of his most expensive cards to date as a result of his breakout ’21 performance.
Through seven major league seasons thus far, Adam Frazier has proven to be a versatile and reliable hitter capable of playing second base, shortstop, and left field. While he may never achieve superstar status, Frazier has developed into a quality major leaguer and established a solid track record at the plate. As his career progresses, collectors can continue following Frazier’s journey by adding his baseball cards to their collections. From affordable rookies to pricier hits from his breakout 2021 season, Frazier cards provide a compelling story of an underrated player who has exceeded expectations at the big league level.
