Super Sub Utility Players Deserve More Credit

It seems the high profile pitchers and home run bashing sluggers get all the attention when it comes to the media, jersey sales and news. However this year we have seen the super utility role players emerge as very important players in the big leagues. All the teams that have success so far this young season can attribute a lot of it to their role players. Of course big bashers like Justin Morneau and others are still contributing excitement but it has been the little guys that are carrying their teams in a way. There has been the struggle of the New York Yankees and all their high priced talent while teams like the Toronto Blue Jays are running away with it thanks to guys like Kevin Millar, Marco Scutaro and especially Aaron Hill.

The tough part for these players is the fact that there is no award or recognition, the most they get is a high five from teammates or encouraging words from managers. Closers can win a fireman award, pitchers can get a Cy Young and RBI hitters can win the Silver Slugger award. Even in the NBA they give away the 6^th man award and maybe it is time for a trophy to be given to the best utility player in the league each year.

The fact is that utility players are becoming a major part of each team and they deserve a little more credit. Utility players go unnoticed yet it gives managers so many more options when they have players that can play a number of different positions. Players like Marco Scutaro and Ryan Freel can play any position from second base to left field and this is almost like having a roster of 27 or 28 players rather than just 28.

The Florida Marlins boast one of the best utility players in the league in Alfredo Amezaga who could possibly win a gold glove at any position given the chance to start full time. Yet his biggest contribution to the team is being able to start at any position that he is needed. So far this year he has started in every position in the outfield and at shortshop, on top of the fact that he is a switch hitter at the plate

However Amezega is by far not the only standout so far this season. Cincinnati's Jerry Hairston Jr. has also started at a vast number of positions, in fact everywhere in the field except for first base and catcher. Ryan Freel of the Chicago Cubs has also seen action all over the field from second base to third base to right field to left field. A few other super subs that have played at a number of positions include Ben Zobrist, Willie Bloomquist and Mark Derosa.

Each of these players bring something special to their team that cannot always be given by a superstar outfielder or a starting position. Sure their teams do not always rely on them as much, but without them they would have trouble starting a fresh faced lineup every single day. It is time that these super subs starting to get a little more credit in the media and when it comes to end of the year awards. A super sub trophy for the year would be a great addition to the award season each year.