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Emma: Todd Frazier's Just What The White Sox Needed

By Chris Emma--

CHICAGO (CBS) -- There's something about playing on Chicago's South Side that takes White Sox third baseman Todd Frazier back to his hometown of Toms River, New Jersey. It just feels like home.

Amid his offseason change of scenery, Frazier drifted back to Toms River South High School, the smaller of three local schools that was often overlooked, and the place that molded him into the man he is today. Frazier is ready to embrace a new chapter in his career with a little Jersey demeanor.

"You got to step your game up," Frazier said in an interview at SoxFest. "You got to focus a little bit more -- just a little bit more."

Frazier's energy seemed to light up ever room at SoxFest over the weekend, and White Sox fans were quick with the warm welcomes. After all, they needed a player like Frazier, who came to the White Sox from the Reds in a three-team deal in December.

Now a marquee name for the White Sox, Frazier seems to fit right in. In no time, he should become a fan favorite. He brings a bubbly personality and rounded game to go with it. Frazier's the kind of player White Sox fans tend to embrace, a tremendous talent who's willing to run through a wall for wins.

"That's the kind of player we needed on this team," White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu said of Frazier. "It's going to be good."

Perhaps Abreu should be the man most excited for Frazier's presence. While manager Robin Ventura hasn't quite decided his lineup, it seems as if Abreu and Frazier will line up next to each other in the Nos. 3 and 4 spots on the order.

Hawk Harrelson, the longtime White Sox voice, revved up the SoxFest crowd by unveiling Frazier as the lineup support Abreu has been lacking. Off in the back of the ballroom, executive vice president Kenny Williams cracked an uncomfortable smile to chairman Jerry Reinsdorf. If Frazier can produce, the White Sox have a shot to reverse their fortunes from 2015, when they finished a disappointing 76-86.

Without much doubt, Frazier is the best complement and most lineup protection Abreu has had in his two years in Chicago. The two can form a dangerous middle of the order for the White Sox.

"We got to challenge each other every day," Frazier said. "I'm up for that challenge. Let him do his thing, let me do my thing, and we're going to be a really good team if that happens."

Added Abreu: "He's a great player, one of the best third baseman in baseball. I think he's going to be very good for us."

A two-time All-Star, Frazier hit .255 with 35 homers, 89 RBIs and an .806 OPS last season, when he was also a Gold Glove finalist. He recorded a 4.5 WAR on Fangraphs and posted plus defensive numbers. Last season, the White Sox were a league-worst -41.5 defensive win shares.

Frazier, who turns 30 this month, is eager to get working at the hot corner and make the White Sox a better defensive team.

"It's the game of baseball," Frazier said. "You got to put the glove on, put the jock strap on the right way like everybody does. If I got to knock some down like (Roger) Dorn in 'Major League,' I'll do it."

White Sox faithful will love how Frazier walks to the plate with a Frank Sinatra song playing. Last season in Cincinnati, it was the classic "Fly Me To The Moon" that sounded through Great American Ballpark. There shouldn't be much of a guess as to which walkup song Frazier picks in his new home.

Chicago certainly seems like Frazier's kind of town.

Chris Emma covers the Chicago sports scene and more for CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670 and like his Facebook page.

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