10 greatest utility players in MLB history

There could possibly be no team of gamers far more missed in baseball record than the most effective MLB utility players of all time.

These are some of the most flexible MLB players to at any time play the recreation. Even if they weren’t bonafide superstars, the biggest utility players in baseball heritage ought to have credit rating due to the fact they were being very good at so a lot of distinctive factors and contributed to their groups in so lots of means. Plus, a ton of the most flexible baseball gamers in MLB heritage generally observed themselves on successful teams, which was no coincidence.

Greatest MLB utility gamers of all time

Of program, due to the fact they weren’t star gamers, it’s not usually straightforward to keep in mind the very best MLB utility players of all time. But don’t stress about that for the reason that we’ve carried out the historic leg operate for you.

Whether or not you concur with or checklist or not is one more problem. Even so, we have compiled a position of the best-10 best utility gamers in baseball historical past.

10. Rance Mulliniks

Rance Mulliniks may perhaps not be a family name at present but all through his job, he was a person of the top rated utility infielders in the match. He arrived up as a shortstop but figured out to participate in third foundation and started out transferring all over the infield.

He was a legitimate rover and ended up enjoying 16 seasons in the significant leagues, primarily with the Blue Jays. For his occupation, Mulliniks hit .272 with 435 RBIs inspite of not hitting for a great deal power. Rather, he created his residing by remaining flexible.

9. Mariano Duncan

Mariano Duncan is typically remembered as a shortstop and a second baseman and was even an all-star in 1994. But during his career, he located his way all over the diamond, setting up at the very least one recreation at every posture besides pitcher and catcher.

Even though he was hardly ever identified as a power hitter or a terrific offensive expertise, Duncan was a slick fielder no make a difference the place you set him. It’s why he played 13 seasons in the majors and served his team win a Environment Collection 2 times.

8. Chone Figgins

He did not have significantly power but Chone Figgins could strike for a significant ordinary and subject his posture, irrespective of what placement he played. He played principally at third base, though he put in a good deal of time at next foundation and in center industry.

Figgins ended up participating in everywhere but first foundation, pitcher, and catcher. Outside the house of his defensive flexibility, Figgins introduced a ton to the desk. He was a vocation .276 hitter and stole 341 bases more than his 12 seasons in the majors. He was also an all-star in 2009 and the MLB stolen foundation chief in 2005, helping to gain him recognition as one of the greatest MLB utility gamers in baseball heritage.

7. Tony Phillips

Tony Phillips played 18 seasons in the course of the 1980s and 90s and was a single of the finest MLB utility players of all time irrespective of enjoying in an period ahead of utility players obtained a lot awareness or regard. He came up as a 2nd baseman, which was his major position.

But Phillips experienced no dilemma actively playing shortstop or 3rd base and manufactured above 100 appearances in the outfield. Even although he was in no way an all-star, Phillips was a career .266 hitter and often contributed enough to adhere around the league, playing 18 seasons for seven distinct groups.

6. Matt Carpenter

All through his 11 seasons with the Cardinals, Matt Carpenter was constantly shifting all-around amongst initially base, 2nd base, and third foundation, even though the very hot corner was his main situation. Throughout his key decades, Carpenter was a multipurpose utility participant who hit like an everyday 3rd baseman. From 2012 to 2018, he was an remarkable offensive player, successful the Silver Slugger Award in 2013 and being named an all-star three instances.

Even when his offensive manufacturing dropped, Carpenter was however important since of his flexibility, even taking part in the outfield and appearing as a pitcher in 2021.

5. Martin Prado

Most take into account Martin Prado a 3rd baseman, but he was actually a accurate utility player. By the end of his job, he experienced performed every single place except for pitcher, catcher, and centre area. By the late phases of his career, Prado could move seamlessly among 3rd foundation, second base, and remaining subject, which is what served him increase his profession for 14 years.

The Venezuela native was also a good hitter, building the All-Star Workforce in 2010 and finishing his vocation with 100 home runs and a .287 batting common.

4. Chris Taylor

The expression tremendous-utility participant was absolutely made for gamers like Chris Taylor. Even prior to his occupation is even around, he’s one particular of the greatest MLB utility players of all time. From the start out of his job, Taylor has accomplished a excellent task of embracing the function of a utility player.

He’s also great sufficient defensively to enjoy all 3 outfield positions, such as centre field, third base, shortstop, and second foundation. In fact, he’s invested most of his vocation at both shortstop or in heart discipline, which is why he’s so beneficial. Offensively, Taylor has often been a regular hitter and not scared of the big stage, earning NLCS MVP honors in 2017.

3. Jose Oquendo

Though Jose Oquendo put in a small time as the middle-infield lover to the great Ozzie Smith, he’s ideal acknowledged for his remarkable versatility as just one of the best utility players in baseball history. It assisted Oquendo that he was a brilliant defensive next baseman and a solid defensive shortstop. He basically has the next-best career fielding proportion amid 2nd basemen.

But no make a difference in which you put him, Oquendo was excellent with the glove. He even invested a very little time at the rear of the plate and appeared as a pitcher, earning him one particular of the unusual gamers in big league background to engage in all nine positions. Granted, Oquendo was generally recognized for his glove and versatility, he batted .256 for his profession, doing just plenty of offensively to demonstrate himself useful.

2. Placido Polanco

Placido Polanco undoubtedly justifies to be regarded as between the most effective MLB utility gamers of all time. Of study course, if we’re remaining reasonable, he was also one of the most underrated next basemen of his technology. He was a two-time all-star and took property ALCS MVP honors in 2006, as perfectly as a Silver Slugger Award in 2007.

For his occupation, Polanco batted .297 and racked up above 2,100 hits. But in addition to being a good next baseman, Polanco was also an achieved 3rd baseman who could also manage himself at shortstop.

In fact, he is 1 of two players to gain a Gold Glove at numerous positions, successful 2 times at second base and the moment at 3rd foundation. On best of that, Polanco retired with the ideal all-time fielding proportion at each next base and third base. Anywhere he performed, he could cope with himself in addition to staying able to take care of the bat as nicely.

1. Ben Zobrist

While his career only ended in 2019, Ben Zobrist will likely be remembered as one of the most versatile gamers in baseball heritage. Even however he was mostly a next baseman, all of his supervisors experienced no challenge going him all over the diamond.

He saw plenty of time in the outfield and could even handle himself at shortstop, earning him the title of super-utility player. Zobrist was also a switch-hitter and 1 of the most affected person hitters of his era.

Compared with most utility gamers, Zobrist manufactured enough of an influence to be a 3-time all-star. It is also no coincidence that he received the Earth Sequence in again-to-back again several years with two distinct teams late in his vocation. He was a functional player and always played winning baseball.