Since baseball started, the role of utility player has been a major part of roster construction. Utility players are players who don’t have a specific spot. They can play anywhere on the field, whether that be on the infield or in the outfield. These players are some of the most underrated in the league. The ability to play multiple positions lengthens your bench. You don’t have to spend multiple roster spots to back up different positions on the field. The utility guy covers those positions and allows opportunities for other players to get a shot.
For the Guardians, that player is David Fry. Since making his major league debut last season, Fry has been playing all over the diamond for the Guardians. However, this season, Fry has been redefining what it means to be a utility player. It’s not just what he’s been able to do at the plate, but how versatile he is.
Fry Breakout at the Plate
Now even though utility players are known more for their defense, Fry has hit his stride this season at the plate. In 34 games this season he has slashed .349/.486/.590, giving him an OPS of 1.077. He also has five home runs and 18 RBIs. But it’s not just his counting stats that are impressive. His advanced statistics have been impressive as well. He has an OPS+ of 211, a wRC+ of 202, a BABIP of .414, and xwOBA of .364. All of these stats are well above the league averages. All these numbers have put Fry as one of the most important people in the Guardians lineup.
His baseball savant page also suggests that this breakout isn’t a flash in the pan. Rather, it is something that is going to be sustained for at least the rest of the season. He is in the top 96th percentile of batting run value. While that alone is very impressive, when you break down his hitting stats it gets more impressive. In the 12 categories of baseball savant measure for batting, Fry is in the top percentile of five of them. All of this suggests that Fry is an above-average hitter and that you shouldn’t expect his numbers to drop off any time soon.
He Plays All Over The Diamond
Although utility players are supposed to play all over the diamond, there are some limitations. All of them don’t take the mound on a regular basis. Sure occasionally they’ll pitch, but that is only when the game is a blowout and there is no hope for a comeback. It’s also extremely rare to see a utility player be able to play catcher. There is a lot of responsibility that goes into being a catcher. You need to know the pitchers and what pitches they like to throw. You also need to be able to decipher the signs the manager gives you from the dugout and relay them to the rest of the field. It’s just very hard to get done on a part-time basis.
That’s where Fry is different. Along with playing first, third, and corner outfield spots, Fry has also been behind the dish several times this season, making him an extremely versatile player and someone who adds a lot of depth to the Guardians’ roster. Normally a backup catcher is a blackhole on the roster. You can’t use them unless the starting catcher has to come out of the game. However, with Fry, they don’t need to follow that rule. They can put in their backup catcher to pitch hit if the moment is right and still have Fry there in case of emergencies.
Thanks for reading. Credit for my feature image goes to Mike Lawrie. You can find more MLB content at Belly Up Sports and follow me on Twitter/X.
