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MLB Preview: Five bench players who could make big impacts in 2016

By Tim Haberin

Mar 6, 2016; Kissimmee, FL, USA; Houston Astros first baseman Marwin Gonzalez (9) throws to first base during the second inning of a spring training baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Osceola County Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 6, 2016; Kissimmee, FL, USA; Houston Astros first baseman Marwin Gonzalez (9) throws to first base during the second inning of a spring training baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Osceola County Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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Bench players will serve key roles on a variety of MLB squads during the 2016 season.

You don’t need to be in the starting lineup every day to make a difference. Plenty of part-time players demonstrate this fact every season. The 2016 campaign should once again provide ample opportunity for unlikely heroics.

For many players, the battle to secure a bench role in the upcoming year starts now in Spring Training. Here are five supporting cast members who could demand the spotlight in the months ahead.

Aaron Hicks (OF, New York Yankees)

The Yankees parted with valuable backup catcher John Ryan Murphy to pry Aaron Hicks away from the Minnesota Twins. The 26-year-old outfielder could very well justify that price coming off the Yanks’ bench in 2016.

Hicks played fewer than 100 games in each of his three years in the big leagues, but his numbers have steadily improved over that span. Last year he posted an eye-catching .307/.375/.495 slash line in 112 plate appearances against left-handers, meaning he could become an important platoon option for his new club, similar to the recently departed Chris Young.

The Bombers’ current outfield features two injury-prone/streaky players in Jacoby Ellsbury and Brett Gardner, along with the soon-to-be 39-year-old Carlos Beltran, so Hicks could get his share of playing time. His contributions should keep all three starters fresh into the season’s second half, where Gardner and Ellsbury particularly struggled last year.

Javier Baez (2B/SS/3B, Chicago Cubs)

The Chicago Cubs enter 2016 as a popular World Series pick, and a deep bench is part of their appeal. Javier Baez is one player in particular worth keeping an eye on. After the Ben Zobrist signing, the infielder seemed like the odd man out, but he should still play a key role in the upcoming season.

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Baez has appeared sparingly over the past couple years, owning a career .201/.252/.346 slash line with 10 home runs and 24 RBIs in 309 total plate appearances. Though he only added one homer and four RBIs to his account in 28 games last season, he slashed a much-improved .289/.325/.408.

His ability to play multiple positions around the infield should allow Baez to find playing time throughout the year, and at only 23 years old he’s a good bet to continue trending upward.

Chris Coghlan (OF, Oakland Athletics)

Chris Coghlan burst onto the scene in 2009 with the Marlins, posting an .850 OPS on the way to NL Rookie of the Year honors. His career trajectory took a definite downturn, however, as the outfielder failed to exceed 100 games played in each of the next four seasons.

But Coghlan experienced a renaissance with the Cubs the last two years, slashing .265/.346/.447 with 25 home runs and 82 RBIs in 2014-15. He was dealt to the A’s during the offseason, and though hitting homers may prove a bit more difficult in Oakland, Coghlan has the look of a solid under-the-radar veteran for a club aiming to rebound.

Marwin Gonzalez (1B/SS/3B/OF, Houston Astros)

It might be somewhat of a stretch to call last year a breakout season for Marwin Gonzalez, but it was certainly his best showing yet on the MLB stage. The 26-year-old slashed .279/.317/.442 with 12 homers and 34 RBIs in 120 games.

Even without a regular spot in the lineup, Gonzalez’s positional flexibility should keep giving him chances to play in 2016. He could see increasing action at first base if Jon Singleton struggles and top prospect A.J. Reed is not yet ready. Otherwise, he can fill in at multiple places around the diamond in both the infield and outfield.

Kelby Tomlinson (2B/SS, San Francisco Giants)

25-year-old Kelby Tomlinson made his big league debut in August of last year and acquitted himself well in 54 games for the Giants, batting .303/.358/.404 with two home runs and 20 RBIs. While a continuation of that level of production may be somewhat optimistic, Tomlinson owns a respectable career .273 batting average in the minors, and last season he hit an imposing .321 in 97 games at Double- and Triple-A.

Next: Predicting the 2016 NL playoff field

While Tomlinson isn’t guaranteed to break camp with the major league squad, his versatility will make him a tempting resource for San Francisco. Although he primarily filled in for an injured Joe Panik at second base last year, he can also play shortstop and has expressed a willingness to try his hand in the outfield as well.

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