C. Trent Rosecrans

crosecrans@enquirer.com

GLENDALE, Ariz. — As soon as Todd Frazier was announced over the PA at Camelback Ranch on Sunday, Billy Hamilton caught himself cheering on the White Sox third baseman.

Hamilton, serving as the Reds’ DH in Saturday’s split-squad game against Chicago, had been cheering on Frazier for years, and the old habit was hard to break.

“It was in my head, ‘C’mon Fraz,’” Hamilton said laughing. “I had to catch myself. This (guy) is on a different team. It’s different. He’s just one of those guys everybody wants to be like — he plays the game the right way, he plays with a lot of heart. It’s good to see him and see him doing well.”

But it was odd for pretty much everyone in the dugout on the third base side to see Frazier decked out in the white and black of the White Sox, who acquired him in a three-team deal with the Dodgers this offseason.

With the Reds rebuilding, they sent Frazier to Chicago, garnering three prospects from the Dodgers, who in turn received three prospects from the White Sox. The return was headlined by Jose Peraza, who had two hits in the Reds’ other split-squad game in Goodyear on Saturday and is hitting .319 this spring.

The move confused many Reds fans and saddened more. It did the same to Frazier.

Frazier, who went 2-for-3 on Saturday and is hitting .356 on the spring, said it took a good week for the trade to really settle in this winter. A big part of that was a conversation he had with Reds CEO Bob Castellini at Redsfest about his desire to stay with the team despite the team’s rebuilding process. Less than two weeks later, Frazier was dealt.

Two days after the trade, Frazier’s wife, Jackie, gave birth to a daughter, Kylie.

“I couldn’t really fathom it until basically like four or five days until I got home from the hospital,” Frazier said. “I was like, ’Hon, I guess we’re on a new team now.’ She said she’d forgotten all about it. You worry about your daughter, that she’s healthy. It probably took me a good week (to come to terms with the trade).”

As both teams have nearly a full spring under their belts, Frazier is not just adjusted to his new surroundings, but also excited about his new squad.

"Once I got in this clubhouse, everything went out the window," Frazier said. "I’m with a new team, new chapter. I’m very happy to be with this club and we’ve connected oh so well. It’s nice to see and refreshing."

The White Sox have quickly taken a shine to Frazier, as he’s been the same outgoing player he was in Cincinnati, and his on-field production has been as advertised in the Cactus League.

“Personality-wise, he likes to have fun, but he’s all business when he comes down to it,” White Sox manager Robin Ventura told Chicago reporters recently. “He’s been a good addition for us, not only playing third base and the talent he has to play the game but all of the intangibles that come with him. He’s a good piece. He fits in any part of the clubhouse, whether it’s English or Spanish. He fits in any realm of that clubhouse.”

The Reds, of course, don’t have to be told that. They know Frazier and know what they’re missing — both on the field and off.

“He did a tremendous job here with us, and we miss him, he’s a great kid and tremendous player,” Price said. “It’s hard to see your guys go to another team, but it’s part of the business, unfortunately.”

That made it bittersweet for Price — who said he watched Frazier closely during Saturday’s 9-7 Reds victory — to see Frazier in a White Sox uniform. He watched Frazier spin his glove on his finger, yap it up with opponents and teammates alike, and also smack a couple of singles.

Price wasn’t alone in watching Frazier. Devin Mesoraco was part of the same draft class as Frazier in 2007, along with Zack Cozart. Mesoraco and Frazier played together in Dayton and Louisville before both made their big-league debuts in 2011.

“It was weird. Definitely weird,” Mesoraco said. “I don’t ever remember pitching against him. It was kind of the same, we were just talking like we normally talk.”

The two talked with Frazier at the plate, and also met twice at third base as Mesoraco went 2-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored.

Frazier said he was greeted at the ballpark with a jumbo-sized hug from Jumbo Diaz, and also got to spend plenty of time talking with third-base coach Billy Hatcher.

“I was basically talking to everybody as they came to third base and in the dugout, as well,” Frazier said. “It was good to see familiar faces.”

The feeling was mutual.

“It was good to see the guy,” Hamilton said, “but I don’t think he looks good in that black and white.”

Hamilton isn’t alone in Reds country in that opinion.

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