What does it mean to be a Utility player?

Being able to play as many positions as possible can never hurt.  When my son was growing up he primarily played SS and pitched on his local teams.  His first travel team he played 2B, all 3 OF spots...and did some pitching.  By junior high and his freshman year in HS he was a SS, C and P on his HS teams...then started playing 3B in travel.  He's started the past 3 years as a SS on our HS team....and played primarily 3B last summer.  When he was offered....his coach said "I see you as a pitcher...but with you being able to play so many positions, you'll definitely get a shot at earning some time in the field and batting"  

I'm sorry, I think you mistyped, what year is your kid?  2018 perhaps? 

Does he excel at any one aspect?  For example, you can be a utility player but if you have a 1.8 pop time you had better be showcasing as a catcher.  If you throw 90+ obviously pitching is a good route.  If you can run a 60 under 6.5 seconds outfield is likely your best shot.  If you can shoot a bullet from SS to 1B and stop anything within 15 feet of you then you have your answer.

So, does he excel in any ONE thing?  I have heard pro's and con's for both sides, and haven't experienced any of this yet for myself, but here are things I have heard, I'm sure more knowledgeable people will be along soon.

The pro for being a utility player is that you know all the positions, therefore show outstanding athletic ability with a decent bat and you can fill any hole a team may have.  Con being the kid one town over who is a SS day in and day out is going to have more reps than you and if the school you want really needs a SS that kid is more likely to get it because he has more experience at the position and had a greater chance of being seen play that position.

I think being able to play more than one position is a huge plus. In our State, there are even special all-league and all-state roster spots reserved just for utility players. Playing different positions helps kids learn all aspects of the game. Every position has a different primary and secondary role on the field.

My son plays many positions. Well, as many as a lefty can realistically play. He mostly played 1st and pitched growing up (because lefty), but he has turned into a great outfielder. He is the starting left fielder for his HS summer team this year and is also a 2018 grad.  But, he jumps in at any outfield position, 1st base and pitches whenever needed. He is valuable to the team because he can fill many roles.

Even in college and the pros, you hear about kids who get recruited for one position, but transition to a different position. Or, they play multiple positions throughout their careers. A local college coach told my son that he rarely ever recruits kids from the corner positions. He recruits up the middle (i.e. catchers, pitchers, middle IF and Center). So, if a kid has experience playing all over the field, they can make themselves very marketable. If you want to play, then be willing to do whatever is needed.

Good luck!

Baseballs 5 tools have ZERO to do with position. 

Hitting for Power

Hitting for Average

Fielding

Speed

Arm Strength  

The above is correct. Position players are recruited as athletes. Very few in college are playing the position they played in high school. Otherwise there would be a crowd at short and center. Bob Boone was an All-American third baseman at Stanford. The Phillies drafted him and "poof" you're a catcher. 

Agreed, general athletic capability is the main focus. But don't people associate certain positions with certain attributes? For example, in my mind, a pitcher would be above 6 feet more than 200 pound and don't necessarily fast or coordinated; SS and 2nd are agile but not necessarily need the most arm strength; Outfielder needs to run fast, but not necessarily react as fast as infield; etc.

Also, if coaches recruit "up the middle", a utility player should sign up as 2nd base or center field for showcases, correct?

You will find in college ball most of the position players were shortstops and center fielders when they were in high school and showcase ball (exclusive of catchers). If a kid is talented enough to play those two positions he can be taught to play anywhere.

"SS and 2nd are agile but not necessarily need the most arm strength; Outfielder needs to run fast, but not necessarily react as fast as infield; etc.

Also, if coaches recruit "up the middle", a utility player should sign up as 2nd base or center field for showcases, correct?"

Bogeyorpar, in our experience, one major question to ask is why is a player viewed as a utility player.  Some have that "status" because they can hit, the coaches want them in the line-up, and they truly are versatile and can play a number of positions, some of which also have talented players on that team. 

The gradations move directionally from the question posed above, especially as players move up in the level of competition.

As an illustration of where I think you would need to rework your views is your comment about shortstops, 2B and arm strength.  To be scouted and viewed in a positive way, a shortstop has to be a very strong arm.  There is a big difference between short and 2B in terms of arm strength.  If the arm strength is such as to limit a player to 2B,  he probably is also limited in the outfield to left, (if he truly is versatile) not center, when being scouted. A shortstop can be moved to 2B and centerfield, based on arm strength. A 2B cannot be moved to shortstop or CF, based on the difference in arm strength. At the levels above HS, especially, someone who will get considerable playing time in multiple positions has to hit, throw, throw well and be athletic. 

College coaches will usually look at 2B last and most will look at a 2B as a 2B.  As RJM noted, they will look at shortstops first, and know that the ones which grade well for arm strength, athleticism, etc can play just about any other position. Add to that the ability to hit and now a college coach has a potential recruit who can be quite attractive. 

My son played OF as freshman and soph in hs.  Junior year b/c of injury he gets moved to 1b on varsity.  His senior year he starts at 3b.  Each year he is also a pitcher.

This year as a freshman in juco he is listed as RHP/Util.  What does that mean?

He started games at pitcher, 1b, 3b, Lf, Rf, and got some innings at 2b while batting 3 hole and 4 hole. 

Talking to some of the other parents and players; he probably has one of the highest scholarships %s because of his versatility. 

bogeyorpar; Were concerned about my 2015 son's versatility affecting his recruiting as well. in hs sophomore year, he played in the field at second,third, short, lf, cf, and rf. Junior year ss, and 3b, senior year 3b and ss. His legion team he has played  6 positions too, though ss and cf this year and last. in both cases he was on some teams with high winning percentages with players who had limitations and even during little league there was always the big "black hole" at third--no one could play it. The last couple showcases we went on circuit, son took reps in OF and iF (though he always says he has "infield instincts."

His thought was that he knew he would be in the lineup (usually the 1 hitter) so it didn't bother him because he would play. In the end, in didn't hurt his recruiting. The spot he accepted on a D1 roster was for an "Athletic infielder who can also play the outfield", from a school whose roster is less than 30. 2 of three starting outfielders graduating were listed as 'infield". When the school sent around bios/stats for the recruits he was listed as ..you guessed it "UTIL". RC told him that his repetitions will be in MI, though live batting in practice he will be in CF. coaches don't want him to lose either skill.

My son was a high school all conference shortstop before he became an all conference center fielder. In college he's played seven positions. He doesn't care as long as he plays. He said first is more fun than he thought. He typically saw it as a position for defensive stiffs (high school 1b could pick it with anyone). He tends to play where the stud freshman recruit fails and where injuries occur. His teammates call him Zo after Ben Zobrist.

If he is a position player and he has demonstrated he can hit, a utility player is extremely useful in high school and college.   As he gets older (and better) the coach will most likely move him to a more permanent position because of his demonstrated value & leadership to the team will be much greater.  JMO.

Right now my son is a two way player. Primarily 1B and P.  Though in the past he has played 3B, catcher, some SS and outfield.  His travel coach is encouraging him to play OF as well.  He has spent a few innings there this year but has not played in the OF for years and is still getting comfortable.  Planning on working more at it this off season as he feels it will open up more schools to him.

Foxson is essentially a utility player.

In travel ball (11U to 17U) he played every position by the time he was in HS.  In HS he was the starting catcher his sophomore year, moved to 3B his junior year and then to 1B his senior year.  In Legion ball, he was generally at 1B, but was often called up to catch or see outfield duty.

At JuCo, he was recruited as a 1B.  His freshman year he was the DH, and primary backup to 1B.  Also saw time in the OF and 3B.  Sophomore year, he was the primary 1B, but did see some time in the OF.

At the D2 he transferred to, again, he spent most of his time at 1B, but by season's end he had been moved to OF due to injuries.  In the conference tournament he was in either LF or RF, but come to the regionals, he was DH. 

As Fenwaysouth and RJM alluded to if an athlete is a position player and proven he can hit, it gives the coach more options to play with and a utility player will eventually get a chance to move to a more permanent position.

When asked, Foxson said he preferred 1B, but he'll play anywhere so long as he is in the lineup.