The Pittsburgh Pirates completed a significant move before the MLB trade deadline by trading utility player Adam Frazier to the Kansas City Royals in exchange for minor league power hitter Cam Devanney. This trade has sparked discussion over its value, prompting an evaluation of the Pirates’ return and whether Devanney represents a promising addition.
Analyzing Adam Frazier’s Performance Before the Trade
Adam Frazier has struggled offensively this season, posting a batting line of .255/.318/.336 with a .290 weighted on-base average (wOBA) and an 82 weighted runs created plus (wRC+) over 262 plate appearances. Historically, Frazier has never been a power threat, and his isolated slugging percentage (ISO) of .081 continues that trend, marking the third time in the past four seasons he has recorded an ISO under .100. Although his strikeout rate remains low at 17.2%, his walk rate of 6.5% hit a career low this year.
Defensively, Frazier remains a reliable presence, especially at second base, where he accumulated +3 defensive runs saved (DRS) and +2 outs above average (OAA), marking his first positive defensive season in those metrics since the Pirates traded him in 2021. He has also played in the outfield corners during the season but has struggled there, recording -2 DRS and -1 OAA over 134.2 innings.
Despite his limitations, Frazier’s ability to get on base at a reasonable clip while providing versatile defense keeps him valuable, primarily as a utility player capable of batting ninth and covering multiple positions. However, with rookie status expiring post-2025 and no significant power to elevate his offensive impact, his role remains more supportive than star caliber.
Evaluating Cam Devanney: The Power Prospect the Pirates Acquired
Cam Devanney, the player the Pirates acquired for Frazier, remains relatively unknown to the wider baseball community but is currently having the best season of his minor league career. Playing for the Royals’ Triple-A affiliate, Devanney is hitting .272/.366/.565 with a .402 wOBA and a robust 137 wRC+. He brings substantial power to the table, boasting 18 home runs in just 288 plate appearances and a .293 ISO, a new personal record.
Some underlying data validates Devanney’s performance beyond his counting stats. His 19% barrel rate ranks third among Triple-A hitters with at least 250 plate appearances, trailing only top prospects Roman Anthony and Owen Caissie. His .387 expected wOBA (xwOBA) also stands as a top-tier mark in the league. While Baseball America and MLB Pipeline have not placed him among the top 30 prospects overall, FanGraphs ranks Devanney as Kansas City’s 10th-best prospect, reflecting some recognition of his potential.
However, concerns persist about Devanney’s consistency at the plate. His strikeout rate is a relatively high 24.8%, and his swing-and-miss rate of 33.9% indicates struggles to make contact. Though his above-average 11.8% walk rate helps balance this somewhat, these factors raise questions about whether he can consistently handle major league pitching. Additionally, at 28 years old, Devanney is older than many prospects and has been repeatedly blocked by higher-profile infielders such as Bobby Witt Jr., Maikel Garcia, and Willy Adames in Kansas City, as well as other players like Brice Turang, Luis Urias, and Kolten Wong during his time in the Milwaukee Brewers organization.
Contextualizing the Trade: What It Means for the Pirates
The Pirates realistically did not expect to receive a high-impact prospect in return for Adam Frazier, a 33-year-old versatile player with a subpar wRC+ and a contract that expires at season’s end. Yet, acquiring Cam Devanney offers more than many anticipated. At his best, Devanney could provide valuable power as a utility infielder capable of covering all four infield positions—an asset the Pirates sorely need.
This trade grants the Pirates an opportunity to develop a power bat within their system without sacrificing much, as Frazier’s offensive value has declined. Devanney’s potential impact hinges on whether he can refine his plate discipline and adjust to major league pitching. If he does, the Pirates may have secured a hidden gem. If not, the deal likely ends in a balanced outcome with neither side gaining a definitive advantage.
“This trade ends up being a wash, with neither team truly benefiting from the deal.” — unnamed source
Assessing the Trade’s Outcome: A Solid Win for Pittsburgh
Given the circumstances and player profiles involved, the trade earns the Pirates a strong grade. While Frazier provided steady versatility, his offensive limitations and free agency status capped his value. In contrast, Devanney delivers a promising power profile that fits the Pirates’ need for offense, even if some risk remains due to his age and contact issues.
The Pirates’ decision reflects a forward-looking strategy to enhance their lineup with a potential power hitter while managing roster flexibility. Devanney’s ability to perform at the major league level will determine whether the trade delivers long-term value, but early indicators suggest that Pittsburgh’s front office deserves recognition for the move.