Kevin Frandsen

Kevin Vincent Frandsen (born May 24, 1982) is an American former professional baseball utility player, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Francisco Giants, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Philadelphia Phillies, and Washington Nationals.

Kevin Frandsen
Frandsen with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2012
Infielder
Born: (1982-05-24) May 24, 1982
Los Gatos, California
Batted: Right Threw: Right
MLB debut
April 28, 2006, for the San Francisco Giants
Last MLB appearance
October 3, 2015, for the San Francisco Giants
MLB statistics
Batting average.258
Home runs15
Runs batted in110
Teams

Playing career

College

Born in Los Gatos, California, Frandsen graduated from Bellarmine College Preparatory in San Jose, California, and later attended San José State University, playing for the Spartans and leaving the school as its all-time leader in hits. Frandsen is one of 28 graduates from Bellarmine to play professional baseball. Frandsen was inducted into San Jose State's Hall of Fame in 2014.[1]

San Francisco Giants

He was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the 12th round (370th overall) of the 2004 Major League Baseball Draft and made his Major League debut with the Giants on April 28, 2006. Frandsen hit his first Major League home run on August 17, 2006, against the Padres at Petco Park.[2]

On May 13, 2007, Frandsen, playing 2nd base, assisted on Omar Vizquel's MLB record setting 1,591st double play.[3] On September 21, 2007, Frandsen became the most recent player on the San Francisco Giants to get five base hits in a single game [4]

In March 2008, the San Francisco Giants confirmed that Frandsen ruptured his left Achilles tendon, which forced him to miss nearly the entire season.[5] Frandsen was activated before the final game of the season; he had his only at-bat as a pinch hitter and made an out.

Frandsen participated in the Arizona Fall League in 2005, 2006 and 2008.

During the Giants' 2009 spring training camp Frandsen competed with Emmanuel Burriss for the starting second baseman position; Burris was named the starter on April 1, 2009, and Frandsen was sent to the Triple-A Fresno Grizzlies. Later in the year, May 17, 2009, Frandsen was called up as Juan Uribe was placed on the bereavement list.[6]

Boston Red Sox

Just prior to the 2010 season, Frandsen was dealt to the Boston Red Sox for a player to be named later and cash considerations.

On March 29, he was optioned to the Red Sox's Triple-A Affiliate, the Pawtucket Red Sox, along with catcher Dusty Brown.[7] He was designated for assignment on April 28.

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Frandsen batting for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in 2010.

On April 29, 2010, Frandsen was acquired off waivers by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.[8] He was added to the active roster, mainly playing third base to help the team deal with injuries to Maicer Izturis and Brandon Wood.

After the 2010 season, the Angels non-tendered Frandsen, making him a free agent.[9]

San Diego Padres

On January 5, 2011, Frandsen signed a minor-league contract with the San Diego Padres.[10] He was released on March 25.[8]

Philadelphia Phillies

Three days after his release from the Padres, Frandsen signed a minor league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies. He spent the 2011 season with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, the Phillies' Triple-A affiliate. After spending the first four months of the 2012 season in Lehigh Valley, he was placed on the Phillies' 25-man active roster on July 27 following Plácido Polanco's move to the disabled list. Frandsen played in 55 games, including 49 starts at third base, batting .338 with 10 doubles and 2 home runs in 195 at-bats. After the season, he signed a one-year contract with the Phillies.

On May 26, 2013, Frandsen was ejected by umpire Mike Winters for arguing a swinging strike call. It was Frandsen's first career MLB ejection.[11]

On June 22, 2013, Frandsen hit his first career walk-off home run, a blast off the facade of the upper deck in left field, giving the Phillies a win over the New York Mets.

On December 2, 2013, Frandsen signed one-year contract with Philadelphia that would pay him $900,000 in 2014, avoiding arbitration.[12] He was outrighted off the roster on March 23, 2014, and elected for free agency on March 25.

Washington Nationals

After leading Major League Baseball with 14 pinch hits in 2013,[13] Frandsen signed with the Washington Nationals on March 26, 2014.[14]

He was released on April 1, 2015.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Frandsen signed a minor league deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks on April 21, 2015. He was released on May 30.[15]

San Francisco Giants

Frandsen signed a minor league deal with the San Francisco Giants on May 31, 2015.[16] On September 23, he was called up to the majors to replace Ehire Adrianza after the latter had suffered a concussion.[17]

Post-playing career

When Frandsen did not receive an invitation to spring training in 2016, he realized his baseball career was coming to an end.[18] On August 8, 2016, he started co-hosting a morning sports talk radio show on KNBR 1050 called "The Audible".[19] On August 14, 2017, he began co-hosting "KNBR Tonight" on KNBR 680.[20]

Frandsen coached a year of high school baseball along with his former college coach Sam Piraro at Willow Glen High School in San Jose, California. There he helped coach them to a CCS Championship.

In January 2018, it was announced that Frandsen would be serving as a part-time color analyst for the Philadelphia Phillies Radio Network during the 2018 season.[21] In December 2018, it was announced that Frandsen's radio role would expand to calling half the Phillies' games per season alongside play-by-play announcer Scott Franzke.[22]

Personal life

Frandsen, with family and friends, started and runs the "19 For Life" Foundation "...to fund off-site recreational activities for children coping with serious illness at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital; scholarships for local high school athletes who have overcome illness and adversity; and Bellarmine seniors needing financial assistance to complete their high school education." [23][24][25]

In 2007, Frandsen completed the two courses he needed for graduation and earned a degree in finance from San José State University.[26]

References
  1. Durkin, Jimmy (October 1, 2014). "Kevin Frandsen highlights San Jose State's 2014 Hall of Fame class". Bay Area News Group.
  2. Draper, Rich (August 17, 2006). "Giants head home on a high note". MLB.com.
  3. Vizquel sets shortstop double-play mark Archived November 21, 2016, at the Wayback Machine MLB.com, May 13, 2007
  4. Giants Rare Feats Archived June 26, 2016, at the Wayback Machine MLB.com, September 21, 2007
  5. Shea, John (March 25, 2008). "Frandsen likely to miss season – Achilles injury". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved September 1, 2012.
  6. Burris to Start at Second Base Archived October 26, 2012, at the Wayback Machine SI.com, April 1, 2009
  7. "Red Sox option Frandsen, Brown to Triple-A". rotoworld.com. March 29, 2010. Retrieved July 24, 2015.
  8. Palmer, Pete (ed.). Who's who in Baseball? (98 ed.). p. 53.
  9. Spencer, Lyle (December 2, 2010). "Halos opt to let Frandsen become free agent". MLB.com. Archived from the original on December 5, 2010. Retrieved March 6, 2014.
  10. Polishuk, Mark (January 5, 2011). "Padres Sign Kevin Frandsen". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved March 6, 2014.
  11. "MLB Ejection 044: Mike Winters (1; Kevin Frandsen) Archived April 8, 2016, at the Wayback Machine." Close Call Sports/Umpire Ejection Fantasy League. May 26, 2013.
  12. Polishuk, Mark (November 8, 2012). "Phillies Avoid Arbitration With Kevin Frandsen". MLB Trade Rumors.
  13. Kilgore, Adam (March 26, 2014). "Nationals sign Kevin Frandsen to complete bench". WashingtonPost.com. Retrieved March 26, 2014.
  14. Creasnick, Jerry (March 26, 2014). "Nationals add Kevin Frandsen". WashingtonPost.com. Retrieved March 26, 2014.
  15. Diamondbacks Release Kevin Frandsen Archived March 24, 2016, at the Wayback Machine. Mlbtraderumors.com (May 30, 2015). Retrieved on 2015-10-27.
  16. Schulman, Henry. (May 31, 2015) Giants Splash: Frandsen returns to the fold; Ishikawa stays Archived March 5, 2016, at the Wayback Machine. Sfchronicle.com. Retrieved on 2015-10-27.
  17. Haft, Chris. (June 30, 2014) Kevin Frandsen called up by Giants | MLB.com Archived March 4, 2016, at the Wayback Machine. M.mlb.com. Retrieved on 2015-10-27.
  18. O'Donnell, Dennis (November 13, 2016). Former SF Giant, Bay Area Native Kevin Frandsen Re-Emerges On Sports Talk Radio (television). KPIX.
  19. "New KNBR 1050 AM Morning Drive Show "The Audible" featuring Kevin Frandsen, Drew Hoffar and Rudy Ortiz to debut on August 8th" (Press release). Cumulus Media. July 19, 2016.
  20. Venta, Lance (August 8, 2017). "Kevin Frandsen & Drew Hoffar Move To KNBR Nights". RadioInsight.
  21. Gross, Stephen (January 8, 2018). "Three former Phillies to join Scott Franzke in radio booth in 2018". The Morning Call.
  22. Breen, Matt (December 6, 2018). "Kevin Frandsen will have expanded role on Phillies radio broadcasts; Kevin Stocker, Kevin Jordan not returning". Philly.com. Retrieved December 9, 2018.
  23. 19 for Life Archived February 2, 2015, at the Wayback Machine 19forLife.org, May 31, 2015
  24. LoRe, Michael (July 1, 2012). "Kevin Frandsen honors brother with every step he takes". The Express-Times.
  25. Schuler, Jeff (July 10, 2012). "For love of the game and brother". The Morning Call. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016.
  26. Baggarly, Andrew (May 23, 2007). "Giants notebook: Frandsen to wear different cap". San Jose Mercury News. Retrieved March 26, 2014.
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