Utility Player

Floridafan,

As a Twins fan who has watched Brendan Harris numerous times, my one-word answer to your question is:

HITTING

If Brendan Harris could hit .300 over 550 MLB at bats, he would be the regular starter at one of those positions at which he is competent. (And by the way, I do appreciate Harris' versatility and value to the team, so this answer is not meant negatively.)

Julie

Right you are MN-Mom, if you can hit they will find a place for you in the everyday line-up. Harris is a valuble player to have on any team because of his versatility. He can fill in adequately at any infield position and he can come off the bench and get you a hit late in the game. But the fact is he doesn't have the bat to keep him in the line up everyday, especially with a team like the Twins who have hitters up the wazoo.

Utility players are always those guys who can play some defense. Studs can hit and the team can handle a few bobbled plays as long as they hit. But when the stud needs a day off you can afford to lose the bat but you need to make sure that the defense is still strong. So you fill the bench with guys who throw some leather around but probably can't hit.

I have a bit of a different view on this.
When you put the term "utility player in the context of a 162 game MLB schedule or 144 game Milb schedule, it is a compliment to the player.
Is there something "missing?"
Well, the answer is yes. He may not have the power production for a 3B, the range or arm they like in a shortstop, or the range or ability to turn the double play they like in a 2B, or it can be he isn't as solid in hitting as the other 3.
What he does is saves a roster spot since he can play 3 positions, do them well and give everyone else that needed rest that some guys apparently felt required steroids.
What that utility player might lack on an individual comparative basis, he gains in his versatility since the 3B, 2B and SS cannot do what he does and play all 3 positions and play them well.
This versatility gave our son his opening in Milb.
In our son's case, what he did that the 2B did not was show up on time when the bus left for Wisconsin.
From there, he led the team in games played, AB's and hits/hitting. Managers in Milb/MLB love a guy they put in the lineup and know he does the job no matter where he hits and what position he plays.

"Showing up" is said to be a major factor of success in all aspects of life. Very glad that it has helped your son follow his dream!

Attitude. Some guys can't handle not being in the line-up everyday. The modern day Utility player gets 3-400 ab's and is willing to do whatever it takes to help the team. They can carve-out a 10-15 year career that only a true fan ever notices. My son's coach was a terrific utility outfielder and had a front row seat to a couple of baseball's greatest World Series moments.

TD, very good point.
One additional point: a good utility player makes the starters better because he pushes them every single day. He knows his role, does it well, but pushes those in front of them so they know if they relax, he is there to take a spot.

Like infielddad said, not all utility players are poor hitters. Take Tampa Bay's Ben Zobrist, for example, who came on strong last year and hit 27 HR's and had a .297 BA while playing seven different positions for the team.

That said, typical utility players seem to be perceived as less-than-optimal hitters. Here's a quote from a major league manager which seems to support this:

quote:

"You normally see utility guys as good defenders, maybe they can run, but you never think about the offensive production being that severe," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "It's nice because he permits you to do different things. Even as the game is in progress he permits you to make moves you wouldn't otherwise make because he can do so many things well. He's really unique."

Probably the best utility player is Chone Figgins. He plays 150 games a year somewhere. It's just the past couple of year he gravitated to third due to need by the team.