2023 Multi-positional players

ASSETS: PT (Playing time), Pw (Power), Sp (Speed), Av (Batting Effectiveness), * (OBP help), Rg (Regression help). LIABILITIES: Sk (Skills risk), Inj (Injury), Ex (Inexperience),  Ag (Age decline), Rg (Regression hurt), Risk cost. (Some BABS categories have been omitted due to space limitations but appear in the full database and spreadsheet charts.) 

Be advised: many of these players come with liabilities aplenty. As always, caveat emptor applies. The good news: most of them are available late in drafts. 

Looking for a full boat of assets? Nick Gordon (p,SB,a) has you covered. Eligible at OF and 2B, Gordon is coming off a 2022 season that could be considered a mini-breakout. His playing time could be squeezed initially, given off-season activity and overall health of the Twins roster. But remember, we’re drafting skills, not roles. 

Power/speed dual position threats continue with Christopher Morel (p,SB,a), who will enter season with OF/2B eligibility and a high likelihood of gaining 3B in short order. He’s no slam dunk, but a 16th round pick is pretty cheap given the assets and flexibility. 

Andrew Vaughn (p,a) will be eligible at 1B/OF in most leagues. The former top pick arrived quickly, and at 24 years old has amassed 1100 plate appearances in the show. He has held his own, and many projection systems see another step up in 2023. This asset group also includes Brandon Drury (1B/2B/3B), whose peripatetic career finds him in new environs once again, this time in LA with the Angels. The same age as Drury, Joey Meneses (1B/OF) was a house on fire after his call-up last year. He persevered through struggles and adjusted to the tune of 13 HR and a .324 BA across 240 plate appearances. Vaughn goes off in the late 9th, while Drury and Meneses are still lurking near pick 190.

Wil Myers (PW,a) could be one of the better 1B/OF end-gamers. Myers signed with the Reds this offseason, by far the most hitter-friendly park he’s ever called home. In full rebuild mode, Myers figures to see plenty of ABs near the middle of the order. His current ADP is 475. The potential reward probably outweighs what little risk a $1 bid entails. Seth Brown (PW) is yet another OF/1B guy available after pick 200. 

Given the speculation of a rise in stolen bases this year, multi-positional players in the (s,a) asset group could be valuable on the cheap. Thairo Estrada made a name for himself last season, and is back again in San Fran waiting to hoover at-bats at SS or 2B. Bryson Stott slots at the same positions and will fit in a quality Phillies lineup. Kim Ha-Seong will play SS/3B in San Diego. Will Whit Merrifield’s OF/2B combo be playable in Toronto? His usage after the trade last season was disappointing. All four are available beyond of pick 180.

BABS is not too keen on chasing single-asset players, but if needed, there are a host of options who bring batting effectiveness to the table. Luis Arraez (A+) stands out as elite. The move to Miami could bring an adjustment period, but the man is a .300 hitter. Rostering Arraez (1B/2B) could allow for some liberties when targeting late power. Gavin Lux, Josh Rojas and Jose Miranda (pictured) all possess a similar batting skill (a) at varying costs and positional eligibility. 

In practice, positional flexibility means less when one of the slots is catcher. Few will use a multi-position player elsewhere if they are eligible behind the dish. However, the flexibility can actually serve as a force multiplier. If your catcher plays another position most days, there’s a strong likelihood that his at-bat total laps the field by season’s end. Daulton Varsho (PW,s) and MJ Melendez (p) are the main examples here, and the market knows this well. Varsho is being treated as a foundational player in the 3rd round, while Melendez is tucked just inside the top 100.