Utilitymen Pose All-Star Conundrum

DENVER—As if having scheduled starting pitcher Tim Lincecum hospitalized because of dehydration wasn’t challenge enough for Clint Hurdle when he managed the National League All-Star team in 2008, the game spun into extra innings before the American League won it.

Aaron Cook, a member of the rotation of a Rockies team that Hurdle managed at the time, took the ball in the 10th, 11th and 12th innings to help alleviate the impact of the absence of Lincecum.

And then there was Cristian Guzman, a shortstop with the Nationals at the time, who after being called on to pinch-run in the ninth inning, willingly entered the game at third base—the only time he was to play the position in his 15-year professional career.

“It made me wonder about the roster construction,” Hurdle said. “We had another guy we asked if he could play third base and he declined. Cristian stepped up.”

Hurdle admits he could have used a utility player, someone whose in-season role is rarely significant enough to grab headlines and earn All-Star support, but whose versatility can be a blessing for a manager, particularly when the All-Star Game rolls into extra innings.

The utility player is the position-player version of a middle reliever. Middle relievers, however, are more often given consideration for spots on an All-Star roster. Only four times since Hurdle faced his dilemma has a so-called utility player been an All-Star, including Boston’s Brock Holt, who a year ago became the first player selected who had started a game at as many as seven positions prior to the All-Star break. He started at every position except catcher and pitcher.

Ben Zobrist started at second, short, left field, right field and DH for the Rays in 2013, when he was an All-Star. Jose Bautista started at right field, third base, first base and DH with the Blue Jays in his All-Star seasons of 2010 and ’11.

And then there is Josh Harrison, who plays for Hurdle with the Pirates, and was an All-Star in 2014, a season in which he made 116 starts at second, third, short, left field and right field.

“To get that opportunity when you are a utility player is definitely special,” Harrison said. “I looked at myself as being an everyday player. I just played at a different position every day. A guy who can do that and produce can be valuable.”

He also can give his team flexibility in making roster decisions like the Pirates had to make last offseason, when they dealt second baseman Neil Walker to the Mets. Pittsburgh was able to add a needed starting pitcher, acquiring Jonathan Niese in exchange for Walker. And the Bucs were able to install Harrison as the everyday second baseman.

So much for Harrison’s role as the super sub. He could be an All-Star again, but it would be as a second baseman.

Similar Shot

Now Sean Rodriguez, Harrison’s Pirates teammate, could get a similar opportunity. The 31-year-old went into late April hitting .375.

Rodriguez has started only five games, “and three of those were last weekend,” Hurdle said. But those starts have been at third base twice, and second base, shortstop and right field once each.

The fact Rodriguez can play so many positions is a bonus, given the Bucs have a pretty set lineup. At 31, Rodriguez could well be pigeonholed as a utility player. Versatility, however, could open an everyday opportunity for Enrique Hernandez of the Dodgers. Hernandez, 24, made the roster because of his versatility. In his fourth big league season he has started big league games at all three outfield positions in addition to second base, third base, shortstop and DH.

Could he be the next Harrison?

“It takes a lot to play a number of positions and play at a high level,” Harrison said. “The biggest challenge is getting your work in at the different position. The way I dealt with it was if I was in a lineup, I’d focus on that position. But the other days, I’d try and take a couple rounds at each position just to be ready if needed.

“If you show you can play a lot of positions you know that every year there are roster changes, and a spot could open up for you.”

It did for Harrison.