'The best money I've invested in myself': A new approach, opportunity for Reds OF Jake Fraley
When the Cincinnati Reds traded outfielder Tyler Naquin to the New York Mets late Thursday night, it left an opening on the roster for Friday's series opener against the Baltimore Orioles.
That spot went to Jake Fraley, who returned from a rehabilitation assignment on Friday and was reinstated from the 60-day injured list, filling the outfield vacancy.
Reds manager David Bell said Friday that Fraley was always part of the plan going into this season.
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"That's part of what happens when there's constant change in life and in this game, for sure. So when things change, opportunities come up," Bell said. "Jake has always been part of the plan. He's had injuries, so it was just a matter of time before he got back here.
"... So the timing worked out for him where he's healed up. He got plenty of playing time on the rehab assignment. He's ready to go and contribute to our team. Going into the season, we expected him to be a big part of our team. The rest of the way he'll get that look for sure and have a chance to contribute."
Cincinnati Reds outfielder Jake Fraley on rehab assignment: 'There’s a big reset'
It's been a rocky start to Fraley's tenure in Cincinnati, but Friday offers a new chapter in what's been a short story so far.
Fraley, a 27-year-old outfielder, joined the Reds this season as part of the Jesse Winker-Eugenio Suárez trade with Seattle, but he's been riddled with injuries, only able to play in 15 games with his new team.
Fraley told reporters Friday that his rehab assignment went well.
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"Swing feels good," said Fraley. "Most importantly, the fracture healed well. I didn’t have any problems with that at any point."
Fraley's time away served as an important reset.
“In more ways than you guys think," said Fraley. "There’s a big reset for me, especially from the mental side. My last year and change has been a whirlwind of just getting knocked down with freak injuries, a lot of things out of my control."
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Fraley, who hit .210 in 78 games last season as a rookie with the Mariners, took on a new approach before he even began his recent rehab.
"I kind of sat down and really took a step back and really tried to realize, ‘What can I do to help Jake Fraley the baseball player come out on the other side of this?’ I was feeling like I got knocked down a ton and feeling like I didn’t know if I could get back up right now," said Fraley. "I went out and hired a mental psychiatrist, mental skills guy, whatever you want to call it. I thought it was a little crazy at first, like, ‘Why am I doing this?’ But it actually ended up being some of the best money I’ve invested in myself.
"And it really helped me to come out on the other side of this . . . I’m the best baseball-player version of Jake Fraley that I’ve ever been in my entire life. And that’s before even playing on the rehab assignment or even playing a game here back up in the big leagues. I feel very confident in saying that and I believe it.”
Fraley eager to make the most of his opportunity with Cincinnati Reds
With an open spot in the outfield for the remainder of the season, Fraley's staring at a golden opportunity to make the most of his current situation.
“That’s the thing that each of us as athletes takes on is the uncertainty, right? That’s competition," Fraley said. "Every time you go out there someone’s gonna win, someone’s gonna lose every time you step in the box."
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Fraley detailed his opportunity as a one-pitch-at-a-time endeavor, trying to dominate every day.
"The present moment is the only thing that you have control over," Fraley said, adding he's "trying to be the best damn baseball player I can be for the next 60 games.”
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Tyler Naquin trade to Mets an opportunity for Reds OF Jake Fraley
