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.
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. On May 13, 2007, Frandsen, playing 2nd base, assisted on
Omar Vizquel's MLB record setting 1,591st double play. On September 21, 2007, Frandsen became the most recent player on the
San Francisco Giants to get five base hits in a single game. In March 2008, the San Francisco Giants confirmed that Frandsen ruptured his left
Achilles tendon, which forced him to miss nearly the entire season. 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; Burriss 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.
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. He was
designated for assignment on April 28.
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in 2010. On April 29, 2010, Frandsen was acquired off waivers by the
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. 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.
San Diego Padres On January 5, 2011, Frandsen signed a minor-league contract with the
San Diego Padres. He was released on March 25. In November, he agreed to an $850,000 contract for 2013, avoiding arbitration. 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. On June 22, 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. He led MLB with 14 pinch hits in 2013, batting .250 with one home run and 10 RBIs as a pinch hitter. In 119 games, he hit .234 with 5 home runs. He was outrighted off the roster on March 23, 2014 and elected for free agency on March 25.
Washington Nationals Frandsen signed with the
Washington Nationals on March 26, 2014. He
slashed .259/.299/.309 and was one of the Nationals' least valuable players, according to Baseball Reference's
wins above replacement statistic. The Nationals released him on April 1, 2015.
San Francisco Giants (second stint) Frandsen signed a minor league deal for another stint with the
San Francisco Giants on May 31, 2015. On September 23, he was called up to the majors to replace
Ehire Adrianza after the latter had suffered a concussion. In 7 games, he batted 2-for-11 for the Giants. ==Post-playing career==