If nothing else, Todd Frazier is honest.
The Cincinnati Reds third baseman is being mentioned prominently as a candidate for National League rookie of the year. He does not shy away from the topic.
"That talk is around, and I'd be lying if it didn't cross my mind, but at the same time I am worried about playing a team game and getting to the playoffs," Frazier said last month when the Reds visited Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies open a three-game series in Cincinnati on Monday.
There is no shortage of rookie of the year candidates. Many observers conceded it would be Bryce Harper's award to lose, and if the Washington Nationals outfielder has a big September, he could win it.
But Frazier, a former star at Toms River South High and Rutgers, is in the running. He is hitting .292 with 18 home runs and 62 RBIs for a Reds team that has a commanding lead in the National League Central. Harper is batting .254 with 15 home runs and 45 RBIs.
Both Harper and Frazier may need a big final month just to keep up with Arizona lefthander Wade Miley, who is 14-9 with a 2.90 ERA.
Frazier began the season in the minor leagues despite leading the Reds in home runs (five) and RBIs (15) in spring training.
He was recalled from triple-A Louisville on April 17 to replace injured infielder Miguel Cairo. Since then, Frazier has gotten an opportunity to play because of injuries to third baseman Scott Rolen and first baseman Joey Votto.
The fact that Frazier has played left and right field, along with first and third base, has enabled him to stay in the lineup. He could play second base or shortstop in a pinch.
"It's been a crazy ride," Frazier said, "and at the beginning of the year I didn't know whether I'd be in triple A or the major leagues. And it's been great that I have gotten a shot here. It shows if you work hard, things will pay off."
With Votto expected to return Monday, Reds manager Dusty Baker will have to be creative to keep Frazier in the lineup.
Baker said that when Votto is healthy, he will play every day, and "there is nobody better at third than Scott."
The Reds have all-star Jay Bruce in right field, and Ryan Ludwick has enjoyed a resurgent season in left.
So where does that leave Frazier?
"At some point the world is going to be his, but now it is partially his," Baker said. "That is not a bad spot to be in."
Certainly a better spot than at the beginning of the season.
The 26-year-old Frazier was the 34th overall selection in the 2007 draft, and he has paid his dues with 2,008 career minor-league at-bats. He made his major-league debut last year, batting .232 with six home runs and 15 RBIs in 112 at-bats. He still qualifies as a rookie this season.
No matter what he accomplishes with the Reds, Frazier will be known to many as one of the stars of the Toms River team that won the Little League World Series in 1998. Last month, he intently followed the Little League World Series, an event he maintains keen interest in.
"Those were lasting memories, and it kind of kick-started my career," he said. "It was a lot of fun."
Just like this season.
Contact Marc Narducci at 856-779-3225 or mnarducci@phillynews.com, or follow on Twitter @sjnard.
