Off the Rankings: Introducing the 2018 MLB Utility Men
Adaptability is about the powerful difference between adapting to cope and adapting to win.
-Max McKeown
Long, long ago in a time called the 1990s, the pervasive approach to hitting was to make the starting pitcher throw lots of pitches. Pitch counts were sort of a new thing way back then. The complete game was not yet dead, but it had been fatally wounded. As a result, teams tried to force the opposing starter into an early departure so as to hammer away at the soft middle relief. There were plenty of good starting pitchers, and most teams had a good closer, but everything in between was usually sort of mushy.
That’s hardly the case anymore, and quite often, the relief pitching is better than the starters. Most teams have a plethora of talented relievers capable of pitching the sixth and seventh innings more effectively than a tiring starter. Regardless, starting pitchers are throwing fewer innings which means more relievers are necessary. Instead of carrying a 5 or 6 man bullpen, teams now employ 7 or 8 relievers at any given time.
But there is a cost. The extra relievers have cannibalized bench roles on a still 25-man roster. Instead of 5 or 6 extra position players, teams now use as few as 3 or 4. One of them has to be a backup catcher, so the remaining 2 or 3 players have to be capable of backing up every position. Gone are specialists like pinch runners, backup first basemen, and fifth outfielders. We now live in the era of utility men that must play anywhere and everywhere.
Who are these brave jacks-of-all-trades-masters-of-none? They usually exist at the fringes of every roster. Most of them fight perpetually for their major league job, with that battle even more heightened during Spring Training. We can’t be sure exactly who will win this battle on each team, but using a reasonable guess (and a lot of help from Roster Resource) we’ll identify each team’s top “utility man” heading into the 2018 season below. We’ll then attempt to rank these characters.
Anthony Santander, Baltimore Orioles
The Orioles plucked the switch-hitting Santander out of the Indians organization in the 2016 Rule V draft. He spent most of 2017 on the disabled list, allowing them to keep him for the entire season and avoid returning him to Cleveland. He plays both outfield corners and can fill in at first base if needed. That’s unlikely though, with Chris Davis, Mark Trumbo, and Trey Mancini all in the regular lineup. A corner outfielder isn’t a classic utility man, but when you’re playing three guys who all belong at first base, the backup outfielder seems pretty important. Besides, most of the other competition for the Baltimore bench are non-roster invitees.
Blake Swihart, Boston Red Sox
With an increased emphasis on versatility these days, it’s surprising that a player who sometimes catches and also plays other positions doesn’t really exist. There are a few exceptions, like Evan Gattis and Austin Barnes, and Swihart will have to join their ranks if he wants a major league job. Not too long ago, he was the top catching prospect in all of baseball. He ranked comfortably among the top 20 of nearly every prospect list prior to 2015. Then came the injuries, followed by defensive question marks forcing him out from behind the plate, until finally his bat abandoned him altogether in 2017. He’ll try to rebound as a rather unconventional utility player this spring.
Tyler Wade, New York Yankees
Wade is the quintessential post-hype sleeper. With several other talented infield prospects in the Yankees system, Wade was often an afterthought on prospect lists (though he did claim the final spot on the 2017 Baseball Prospectus top 101). He soared past many of those listed before him by hitting .310/.382/.460 with 26 SB in AAA last season. He also proved capable at SS, 2B, 3B and even the outfield. The only thing he did wrong was failing to hit whatsoever during his brief stay in the major leagues. However, he just barely exceeded prospect eligibility requirements, keeping himself firmly under the radar this spring. He’s been quite productive in the Grapefruit League and looks increasingly likely to make the team as a super sub, and could even pretend to be the starter at second base to start the season.
Daniel Robertson, Tampa Bay Rays
Robertson was the future of the Rays infield, until he wasn’t. He was a first-round pick and top prospect for the A’s when he was traded to Tampa Bay (ironically, he was traded for Ben Zobrist, the poster boy for utility men). The power and contact that were promised in the low minors disappeared in AA and AAA. He earned 254 PA in the majors last season, but only hit .206/.308/.326. Still, he plays adequately all over the infield and could even see some time on the outfield grass going forward.
Yangervis Solarte, Toronto Blue Jays
Solarte is proof that “utility” doesn’t have to mean “bench.” Last season with the Padres he slashed .265/.318/.416 with 18 HR while playing all four infield positions. After a January trade north of the border, he projects to get just as much playing time as nominal starters Devon Travis and Aledmys Diaz at 2B and SS. He’ll also prove useful if impending free-agent 3B Josh Donaldson becomes a trade target in July.
Charlie Culberson, Atlanta Braves
The rebuilding Braves acquired Culberson from the Dodgers in the latest Matt Kemp salary dump du jour. He’s been up-and-down (mostly down) for three different NL West clubs ever since his MLB debut in 2013. Now he hopes to provide depth behind an inexperienced Atlanta infield that includes youngsters Johan Camargo, Dansby Swanson, and Ozzie Albies.
Garrett Cooper, Miami Marlins
The Marlins traded away Giancarlo Stanton, Marcell Ozuna, Christian Yelich, and Dee Gordon this offseason. Slim pickings remain for the starting lineup, so the bench is even more depleted. He demolished PCL pitching in the Brewers organization, playing his home games in extremely hitter-friendly Colorado Springs, and even batted .326 in 13 major league games after the Yankees traded for his services. The Marlins acquired Cooper from the Yankees in November with little fanfare. Nevertheless, he’s a 6’6, 230 lb., singles hitter who lacks versatility. What do you call a first baseman who doesn’t hit for power? Apparently a Miami Marlin.
Jose Reyes, New York Mets
Reyes, an all-time great New York Met, is proof that you can always come home again. His tribulations after leaving Queens are well documented, and he’s clearly not the player he was a decade ago. But he still managed to play 145 games last season with 15 HR and 24 SB. The MLB active leader in 3B and SB is no longer a fleet-footed shortstop, but he’s a competent backup all over the diamond.
Roman Quinn, Philadelphia Phillies
If you’re only going to do one thing well, you’d better do it really, really well. Quinn is only OK at best as a hitter with little power to speak of, but he’s FAST. Like crazy fast. The prospect report on his FanGraphs page gives him 80-grade speed on the 20-80 scale. With wheels like that, you don’t need much else to make it as a backup outfielder. However, he will need to stay healthy, something he’s never done consistently. He’s never played more than 88 games in a season as a professional.
Wilmer Difo, Washington Nationals
In many ways, Difo is the quintessential utility man. Switch hitter? Check. Experience at every position? Check, except for first base and catcher. Decent contact, but not enough patience or power to start? Absolutely, with a .271 BA, 6.6 BB%, and .099 ISO last season. Solid speed and defense? Take his 10 SB and 3.7 UZR in 2017. In spite of his perfect utility profile, he’ll push Howie Kendrick for starts at 2B this season.
Tyler Saladino, Chicago White Sox
Tyler Saladino is:
A) A three-year veteran infielder who struggled badly at the plate in 2017
B) The greatest right fielder of all time (minimum o.1 innings)
C) The mastermind behind a string of train robberies in the 1800s
D) All of the above
Of course the answer is D (isn’t it always?). The train bandit thing is unconfirmed, but he’s certainly got the right mustache.
Giovanny Urshela, Cleveland Indians
Urshela is a third baseman by trade. He’s been passed on the depth chart first by Lonnie Chisenhall, then by Jose Ramirez, and now possibly by Yandy Diaz. If he wants to stay in the majors, he must learn to diversify quickly and successfully. Last year’s 43 wRC+ won’t cut it, either.
JaCoby Jones, Detroit Tigers
In spite of hitting just .170/.240/.270 in 2017, Jones has a few things going for him. 1) Experience in the minors at nearly every position. 2) Outstanding speed. 3) A Tigers depth chart that offers little resistance. 4) A team that’s clearly tanking and has little motivation to find anyone better. That’s a recipe for a backup outfielder if ever there was one.
Cheslor Cuthbert, Kansas City Royals
Life’s not fair. Cuthbert filled in capably for Mike Moustakas when he was hurt for most of 2016, then saw his playing time cut from 510 to 153 PA as a result. Moustakas was widely expected to find greener ($) pastures elsewhere, leaving Cuthbert with a clear path to the starting gig. Of course, Moustakas couldn’t find a decent contract offer on the open market and re-signed with Kansas City. Now, Cuthbert becomes a four corners backup who can maybe fill in at second base as well.
Eduardo Escobar, Minnesota Twins
Escobar is really the tenth starter for Twins, as he has been since 2014. He’s accumulated between 377-499 PA in each of the last four seasons and smacked a career high 21 HR in 2017. He mostly hangs out on the left side of the infield, but can play just about anywhere (he’s even appeared as both a pitcher and a catcher, though not at the same time). Heading into free agency, he’ll look to improve on his career 6.0 BB%.
Ben Zobrist, Chicago Cubs
Practically everyone on the Cubs plays multiple positions, but Zobrist is the grandfather of all modern utility players. The three-time All Star has compiled 42.1 bWAR with more than a full season’s worth of starts at 2B, SS, LF, and RF. However, at 36-years-old he struggled badly at the plate last season, slashing just .232/.318/.375. With two years and $29 million remaining on his contract, the Cubs hope he reverts back to being a super utility man and not just a plain old utility man, with an emphasis on “old”.
Phil Ervin, Cincinnati Reds
Ervin, a former first round pick, never hit for much of an average in the minors. He does have some pop and a decent walk rate, even if it comes with more strikeouts than you’d like to see. He made his major league debut in 2017 and has the inside track to become the fourth outfielder. With lefty swingers Jesse Winker and Scott Schebler in the corners, the right handed Ervin figures to see plenty of at bats against southpaws.
Eric Sogard, Milwaukee Brewers
Sogard signed a two year deal with Milwaukee prior to the 2017 season, despite a career OBP of only .295 at the time. Somehow, he transformed himself into a completely different hitter and posted a .393 OBP last season. If he proves this was no fluke, the veteran middle infielder should borrow plenty of playing time from Jonathan Villar and Orlando Arcia in 2018.
Sean Rodriguez, Pittsburgh Pirates
Remember when Rodriguez broke out and slugged .510 in 2016? And then signed a two year, $11.5 million deal with the Braves? Well, the fun is over. Rodriguez turned back into a pumpkin last year, slashing just .167/.176/.295 and getting shipped back to Pittsburgh in August. He did play seven different positions for the second season in a row, so that’s at least something.
Jose Martinez, St. Louis Cardinals
Martinez became yet another unheralded Cardinals prospect to overachieve in the majors. He smashed NL pitching to the tune of .309/.379/.518 over 307 PA. He’s a 6’6″ first baseman and corner outfielder, so he’s not exactly a classic utility man. But there’s always room for a 135 wRC+ somewhere on the roster.
Marwin Gonzalez, Houston Astros
Not many utility players earn MVP votes, but Marwin Gonzalez pulled the trick last year. Starting at least 15 games at 5 different positions, the switch-hitter hit .303/.377/.503 with 23 homers and mixed in 8 steals. He was a key cog in the machine that was the Astros 2017 season. Time will tell if that’s his new normal, or if the .298 OBP that he compiled from 2012-2016 is more accurate. The Astros have him penciled in as the primary left fielder on their depth chart, but he’ll once again start in multiple positions as manager AJ Hinch looks to rest his infielders and hide Evan Gattis in front of the Crawford Boxes in Houston.
Jefry Marte, Los Angeles Angels
Marte was part of the Angels’ mix last year that patched together 80 wins, with contributions of at least 100 PAs from 17 different players. The slicing of their plate appearances pie is likely even more uncertain with addition of Shohei Ohtani to the mix. In a lot of ways, Ohtani is the preeminent utility player in today’s game, but including him on this list feels like cheating, and we really don’t know what to make of him. He’s not on the list. Jefry Marte gets the nod. He’s a corner infield player, who will likely have a hard time finding at bats if Ohtani makes any sort of MLB impact with his bat.
Jed Lowrie, Oakland Athletics
The A’s middle infield will be a three-headed monster comprised of Franklin Barreto, Jed Lowrie, and Marcus Semien. Semien and Barreto appear to be part of the A’s long term plans, thus leaving Lowrie to occupy that flexible infield spot. He has Major League experience at short, second, and third and actually managed 4.0 bWAR last year. Just with Ohtani, maybe it’s cheating to put him in the same category as Giovanny Urshela, but roster construction is an inexact science.
Andrew Romine, Seattle Mariners
Romine started games at 7 positions in 2017 for the Tigers, and they actually had a game where he appeared at every position. He’s hurt to start the season, but the Mariners have a need for Romine on the roster in that their other projected bench piece, Ryon Healy, is immobile and incapable of handling the middle infield. The Mariners may elect to leverage Dee Gordon’s flexibility in their early-season roster construction while awaiting Romine’s return.
Jurickson Profar, Texas Rangers
Profar was never supposed to end up on a list of utility men. Once the consensus top prospect in baseball as a switch-hitting shortstop, Profar has had his share of injuries since 2012 and has yet to perform at a level that earned consistent MLB at-bats. 2018 seems to be the year that the Rangers will provide Profar with every opportunity to prove his worth in a utility role. He’s somehow still just 25, a full year younger than Kris Bryant, and posted an .808 OPS in AAA last year. With his versatility, could Profar mature into a version of 2017 Marwin Gonzalez?
Daniel Descalso, Arizona Diamondbacks
We covered Descalso extensively in December in a must-read piece that outlined how he has a chance to become the best pitcher of all time. In his day job, Descalso is also quite good. The left-handed hitter started games at second, third, and in the outfield for the Diamondbacks and cracked double digits in homeruns for the first time in his career, while earning nearly 400 plate appearances.
Ian Desmond, Colorado Rockies
Rarely do utility players get 5 year, $70Million deals, but that’s exactly what the Rockies did last offseason. Desmond’s envisioned role was (and still is) to fill in as needed all over the diamond. In year one of the deal last year, Desmond played 66 games in left and 22 at first, while being injured for much of the year. He figures to occupy much the same role in 2018, spelling the unpredictable Ryon McMahon as needed, and filling in when the Rockies combination of outfielders falls short. Byways of background, Desmond is a former slugging yet defensively challenged shortstop with All-Star Game appearances and MVP votes on his resume.
Enrique Hernandez, Los Angeles Dodgers
Kike Hernandez, as he is known, started multiple games at 7 different positions last year. He’s quick, but not a stolen base master. He has hit for average, and hit double-digit home runs, but never in the same year. And he passes the “eye test” wherever he plays in the field, but does not compile enough innings in the field for the advanced stats to quantify his defensive value. He’s the perfect utility guy.
Cory Spangenberg, San Diego Padres
Spangenberg quietly had one of the best utility seasons last year. He started over 100 games in total with time at 3b, LF, and 2b. He managed to reach double digits in homers and steals, and posted an OPS+ just 7 points below league average. Over the course of his career, Spangenberg is basically a league average hitter. Combined with his versatility, he’s a valuable asset.
Kelby Tomlinson, San Francisco Giants
Kelby finds himself on a Giants team full of non-versatile veterans. He did not start many games last year, but entered 66 games as a substitute, proving to be an effective pinch-hitter by reaching base at a .322 clip. He’s a shortstop by trade and on a roster that figures to carry Pablo Sandoval and a catcher, Tomlinson may be asked to fill in in the outfield more this year.
The science of ranking these guys is captured in another post.
-Daniel R. Epstein and Sean Morash
