Newcomer Fraraccio adds punch to lineup

Spencer Patterson

Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2000 | 10:49 a.m.

When Dan Fraraccio put on his Las Vegas Stars uniform for the first time last week, his nine minor league seasons weren't enough to prevent an old-fashioned case of the nerves.

"I was nervous," Fraraccio admitted. "That's about the only emotion I had all day. It was my first full day with them, and I didn't know anybody."

By day's end, however, the Stars' newcomer had a completely different set of emotions -- namely excitement and pride -- after hitting a game-winning two-run homer in Las Vegas' victory over Omaha last Thursday.

"Naturally, it felt great to do something to help the team win," Fraraccio said. "It was pretty dramatic the way it turned out."

Just one day earlier, Fraraccio had learned he was leaving Quebec City of the Independent League for the Stars, who signed him as a free agent after his Canadian club placed him on waivers.

Less than 24 hours later, the 5-foot-11, 175-pounder stood at the plate with two outs in the ninth inning and Las Vegas trailing the Golden Spikes by a run. Down to his final strike, Fraraccio belted a two-run shot over the fence to put his new club in front for good.

"We got him to help us and he made a strong contribution right away," Stars manager Tony Franklin said. "It's always good to have a guy come in and help you right away."

Franklin, who coached Fraraccio in 1993 when both were with South Bend of the Midwest League, said the Stars acquired the 29-year-old largely for his versatility. Fraraccio has already started at third base, in left field and right field and as a designated hitter for Las Vegas, and Franklin said he is also capable of playing both middle infield positions.

"He's a guy who can play multiple positions, he has good baseball knowledge and he fits in well," Franklin said. "He gives you everything he's got."

Fraraccio's first-game heroics have carried over. The newcomer batted .429 with four RBIs in the four-game series with Omaha. Tuesday night, he went 1-for-5 as the Stars' cleanup hitter.

"I wasn't expecting him to make quite the impact he has," Franklin said. "We were just looking for a body."

Since coming out of Louisiana Tech in 1992, Fraraccio has spent time with the White Sox and Devil Rays organizations, as well as with two independent clubs. Coming into the 2000 season, he had a .270 career average with 21 home runs and 234 RBIs.

For now, Franklin said infielders John Roskos and John Curl will serve as the emergency catchers, although the Stars' manager hopes neither has to play the position.

"They've caught in the pen, but you hope you don't have to get to that point," Franklin said. "But we've got what we've got and we have to make it work. Hopefully, we can get (a catcher) tomorrow."

"This is the first time we've been healthy all season," Franklin said.

Offensively, Kevin Nicholson led the way for Las Vegas, going 3-for-3 with an RBI and two runs scored. Ethan Faggett hit his third homer of the year and also doubled for the victors.