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Player Spotlight: 2016 Grant Frazer

September 10, 2014

By Spencer Flaten
Wisconsin Ball Battles

When you look back at the last two high school baseball spring seasons, you’re hard pressed to find a player more valuable to his team than Oconto’s Grant Frazer (2016).

Frazer, a shortstop and pitcher for the Blue Devils, started his varsity career as a freshman. His first season was a successful one. At the plate, he batted .444 and collected 21 RBIs, leading the team in both categories. On the mound, he posted a 1.87 ERA in 15 innings of work (mostly in relief). When his Oconto team reached the state tournament, Frazer was the starting pitcher for the Blue Devils in a somewhat Grant Frazersurprising turn of events. Despite being just a freshman on the biggest stage in Wisconsin baseball, Frazer went 8 strong innings, allowing 6 hits and 3 runs and picking up the victory. He then started the state championship game at shortstop, going 2-for-2 at the plate, driving in one run to help his team lift the golden trophy.

Expectations were high for his sophomore season, both for his team and individually. It’s fair to say that he may have exceeded those expectations: he hit his way to a .368 batting average and 22 RBIs at the plate. Where he really starred was on the mound, however. In 51.1 innings of work, Frazer posted a 1.23 ERA, striking out 65 and only allowing 9 earned runs all season. As Oconto reached the state tournament for the second consecutive year, he again received the call to start the semifinal game on the mound. For the second year in a row, Frazer went 8 innings. This time around, he allowed only 5 hits, struck out 9, and allowed one earned run in an overall dominant performance. The Blue Devils were defeated in the state title game, but it was still a very successful season for Frazer and Oconto.

Frazer has thrived under pressure throughout his career, and he believes that his success on the big stage comes down to his mindset.

“I love being put on the big stage and having to compete. But I guess I just treat it like it's a regular season non-conference game, not trying to do too much or outplay [myself],” he said.

Another factor in his success: good coaching.

“I've been very fortunate to have very good coaches helping me along the way, one of them being my dad. I believe that really helped me prepare for the high school level and with playing club ball,” Frazer said. 

Interest from colleges has been strong over the last week (phone lines between coaches and recruits opened on September 1st). Frazer’s experience with the GRB Rays, a travel team in Madison, played a big role in that. He joined the team this summer, and it is already paying dividends.

“I've loved being with the GRB Rays. It's been an amazing experience with the amount of exposure at tournaments and being with the coaching staff. Also, the group of guys is a lot of fun to be with and a great group of ballplayers,” he said.

Frazer has already received interest from several Division 1 schools around the Midwest, including Penn State, Butler, Illinois State, Western Michigan, and Miami (OH). Wake Forest has shown interest as well.

Looking ahead to this spring season, Frazer knows that his squad will be ready to play despite losing a handful of starters from last year.

“We got hit hard by graduation, but our team always had that next-man-up mentality and I think with that we'll be able to compete.”

Regardless of how his team fares this year, Grant Frazer will be a good name to follow for coaches, scouts, and fans alike.

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