MLB: Ten Worst Position Players in Baseball

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Call to the Pen looks at the worst position players in the MLB that are still starting for their team on a regular basis.

Baseball is a fickle sport. Because of the financial impact of long term contracts, many managers are forced by the front office to play guys much longer than they remain effective. Service time clocks keep good young players in the minors longer than they deserve, and the option system and rule 5 draft bring up guys who need more seasoning. Past performance is difficult to forget, and once you’ve established yourself it takes a while for people to move on from those memories.

It’s hard to construct a roster of 25 good baseball players (comparatively that is, all the players listed below are in the top 0.001% of baseball players worldwide) and sometimes bad players slip through for one of these reasons. While Jean Segura shows us why it’s not always wise to give up on these players, there are currently 126 position players who have provided negative WAR to their teams in one form or another this year.

Now some of this is due to bad luck, or just a cold streak to start the year. Not all these players will end up down at the bottom of the list, some might even put up solid seasons (come on Votto, you’re on my fantasy team!) We’re looking for players who have put up a history of terrible play, but yet somehow are still starting the majority of their team’s games. These are the 10 worst position players in the MLB.

All stats up to date through May 3.

Next: Honorable Mentions

Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Pablo Sandoval might have ranked pretty high on this list, had John Farrell not had the guts to bench the $95 million dollar man. Sandoval was the worst player in the majors last season, and lost his job this spring to youngster Travis Shaw when he came to camp overweight. He was recently shut down for the rest of the year after undergoing shoulder surgery after only seven plate appearances. I’d wager that $17 million dollar option for 2020 has already been declined.
Another big money player that just missed our list is Prince Fielder, he of the $24 million AAV. Fielder is off to the worst start of his career, hitting to the tune of a 48 wRC+ and playing less than stellar defense. Fielder had a terrible season as recently as 2014, but followed with a pretty solid campaign last year. For a guy who once hit 50 home runs in a season, his 28 total jacks since the end of the 2013 season is plenty bad.
Peter Bourjos used to be thought of as one of the best defensive center fielders in the game, and though never a good hitter could hold his own in spot duty. For some reason this season he’s getting regular at bats for Philadelphia even though his defense has deteriorated significantly. He’d be on the list if he had ever really been a full-timer in the past, but save for one year back in 2011 for the Angels he’s never even had 300 at bats.
Billy Butler would probably be in the top 3, had this list been made sometime during last season. Finally though the Athletics have come to their senses and sat Butler firmly on the bench for most of this season. He’s owed another $10 million next year after signing what was one of the more confusing free agent contract of 2014.

Next: Number 10

10. Jay Bruce

Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /

2016: 95 PA, .244/.305/.477, 99 wRC+, -0.3 fWAR

When Jay Bruce first came up with the Reds in 2008, he was a massively hyped prospect that came with tremendous power potential. He quickly proved he could hit at the MLB level, banging 21 home runs in his rookie season, and 164 in his first six seasons. He played an average if not plus right field during that time, making him very valuable.

In 2014 though everything changed. On May 5th of that year he underwent surgery to repair his torn meniscus in his left knee, similar to the surgery Blue Jay Michael Saunders underwent at the beginning of last season. Bruce would miss only two weeks after the surgery, but hasn’t been the same player since.

In the time since his 2014 return, he has hit .225/.284/.418 and has seen his range in right decrease dramatically. His -1.2 fWAR over that time has been the third lowest total in the league.

The connection to Saunders doesn’t end with surgery, as he was rumored to be in a deal for the Blue Jay earlier this year. That trade ultimately fell through because of the medicals of a minor league player, but the Blue Jays must be thanking their lucky stars after Bruce’s weak start again this year.

Saunders for his part is off to a strong campaign, providing some hope for Bruce’s future. If he can come back from a similar injury, perhaps Bruce can as well. He would rank higher on this list if it weren’t for his slightly-promising .233 ISO this season. Let’s hope Bruce can get back to the slugger he once was.

Next: Number 9

9. Avisail Garcia

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2016: 79 PA, .214/.291/.400, 92 wRC+, 0.2 fWAR

You’d think that a 24-year old couldn’t possibly have done enough in the Major Leagues to warrant a spot on this list, but all Avisail Garcia has done since his debut in 2012 is put up negative value. His nickname of ‘Mini-Miggy’ hasn’t proved prophetic, and it’s amazing that he is still getting regular at-bats in the bigs.

Garcia now has 1177 plate appearances in an MLB line up, and has been worth -1.8 WAR over that time. His defense has been amazingly bad in the outfield, and he’s now been moved to the designated hitter position almost full-time. The problem is, DHs are usually strong hitters, while Garcia is not. He has hit exactly league average once, and has overall been a 90 wRC+ hitter for his career, while DHs have averaged 111 wRC+ over the same timeframe.

When Adam LaRoche surprisingly retired to start the year, the White Sox installed Garcia into the vacated position. He still hasn’t responded, striking out more than a quarter of his at bats this season. His power has improved, and his youth and potential keeps him from ranking higher on this list. But right now Garcia is a terrible major league player, and there are a ton of players who could out perform him at the DH position either in the minors or on the bench on other teams.

Next: Number 8

8. Pedro Alvarez

2016: 62 PA, .208/.323/.340, 85 wRC+, 0.0 fWAR

After being non-tendered by the Pirates this offseason, it looked as though Pedro Alvarez might have to sign a minor-league deal with a club as he remained unsigned into March. Instead, agent Scott Boras waived his magic wand and the Baltimore Orioles came knocking, offering Alvarez a one-year $5.75 million dollar deal with incentives that could push it to $7MM. A lot of money for a league average hitter without a position.

Alvarez has a lot of power, but mitigates that value by being a butcher in the field no matter where he plays, contributing 0.2 WAR since 2014 despite hitting 46 home runs. His low on-base percentage and high strikeout rate has made him hit just 106 wRC+ over his career, and this year it has trended downwards.

In 62 PA this season he’s only hit a single home run, and with the injury to J.J. Hardy on Sunday, will be forced into everyday duty in the powerful O’s lineup. If Alvarez is given more playing time at third base after Manny Machado slides over to shortstop, his terrible defense will hurt his value even more. He’s already someone who shouldn’t even be getting every day DH at bats, let alone seeing the field at all during the season.

Next: Number 7

7. Ryan Goins

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2016: 85 PA, .160/.200/.235, 13 wRC+, -0.6 fWAR

It’s surprising to see a Blue Jay player on this list after the team led the major leagues in scoring last year, especially one known mostly for his defense. Goins broke into the league in late 2013, providing highlight reel plays seemingly every night on defense. His twelve defensive runs saved (DRS) that year ranked him only behind Dustin Pedroia at second base – in just 262 innings.

Though the Blue Jays brought in rookie Devon Travis to replace Goins before last season, a shoulder injury took him out for most of the year and has kept him from the field so far this year. He’s working his way back to the majors now, and will certainly take the job back from Goins when he returns.

Goins’ defense actually provided some value last season, when a late season hot streak brought his wRC+ up to a respectable 84. But this year everything has disappeared including his defense. Without it, Goins is one of the worst regulars in the league and part of the reason Toronto is off to a slow start. Luckily he won’t be a starter (or perhaps even a big leaguer, due to the presence of Darwin Barney on the roster) for the entire year.

Next: Number 6

6. Chris Owings

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2016: 83 PA, .263/.317/.355, 72 wRC+, 0.1 fWAR

A baseball manager’s job is to put his players in a situation that they will find the most success. Unfortunately, sometimes these managers make mistakes by overrating their player’s ability or getting caught up in a small sample of success. It’s why many of these players are on this list, and to include Chris Owings is probably a little unfair.

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After the devastating injury to A.J. Pollock right before the start of the season, Arizona manager Chip Hale decided to move Owings, a middle infielder, out into center field. Owings already struggled last season, putting up some poor defensive numbers at second and short, and losing his ability to hit at this level. Sending him out to start at a position he had never played in the big leagues didn’t put him in a position to succeed, quite the opposite. Owings has performed to mixed results defensively, and again has shown he isn’t a good option at the plate.

His 2015 season was better than only Sandoval at -1.4 WAR, and he’s not much better this year. That his whole career equals less than one win, makes him almost the definition of replacement level. Starting in CF for a club trying to make the playoffs isn’t a good spot for a replacement player, and makes him one of the worst players in the major leagues.

Next: Number 5

5. Omar Infante

Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /

2016: 88 PA, .247/.287/.333, 71 wRC+, 0.3 fWAR

Somehow, Omar Infante is the starting second baseman for the defending World Champions. Again. He was almost the starting second baseman on last season’s All-Star team because of an online ballot-stuffing campaign, despite a 46 wRC+ at the break. It’s like he has some sort of guardian angel watching out for him.

Infante signed a four year $30 million dollar contract before the 2014 season, and it immediately turned out to be a mistake for the Kansas City Royals. Infante put up his worst hitting campaign since 2007, and followed it up by posting an even worse season in 2015. He posted an unbelievable 2% walk rate last year, the fifth worst of the past 20 years with players who got more than 400 at bats.

While his offense has rebounded slightly, it’s still far below the major league average and he’s striking out more than he ever has in his career. The Royals went out and obtained Ben Zobrist for the stretch run last year, and they’ll have to do something similar if they want to see any production out of their second base position this season. It’s hard to sit $15 million on the bench, but for a team that’s supposed to be contending it’s a pill they have to swallow. Another contract option that is destined to be turned down, the Royals own a $10 million dollar option on Infante’s 2018 season. We’d be shocked if he’s even still in the majors by that point.

Next: Number 5

4. Jimmy Rollins

2016: 84 PA, .234/.286/.351, 75 wRC+, 0.0 fWAR

It’s hard to see a borderline hall of famer on this list, and I hesitate to put him here just out of respect. Jimmy Rollins has been one of the best shortstops I’ve watched for a whole career; he’s closing in on 2500 hits, with 4 gold gloves and an MVP. All that success is in the past though, and it’s time for Rollins to call it quits.

After 15 years with the Phillies, they decided to move on and traded Rollins to the Dodgers before last season. The Phillies must have known something the Dodgers didn’t, as he put up a terrible season both at shortstop and at the plate. The glove that had been so reliable in Philadelphia put up the worst season of his career, and he looked lost with a bat in his hands. Even Rollins’ legs, usually a huge asset for him, betrayed the then 36-year old. He put up negative base running numbers and was only successful on 12/20 stolen base attempts.

This year is much of the same after signing a minor league deal with the White Sox, then making the team out of camp. Rollins currently has a -25.9 UZR/150 at shortstop, good for 6th worst at the position. His offense has declined even further, and he’s even in stolen base attempts going 2/4. Rollins was once an MVP and with that comes some potential to break out again for at least a short period of time. But with the White Sox off to such a good start, it’s time to sit Rollins down if he keeps playing like one of the worst players in baseball. He just doesn’t have it anymore.

Next: Number 3

3. Aaron Hill

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2016: 83 PA, .205/.256/.274, 36 wRC+, -0.4 fWAR

When Aaron Hill was coming up as a young player for the Blue Jays, he was thought of as a power hitting middle infielder with an improving glove. He had a great season for them in 2009 hitting 36 home runs, and won a second silver slugger in 2012 after a trade to the Arizona Diamondbacks. His power has fallen off a cliff since then though, with home run totals of 11-10-6 in the three years following.

The last two years in particular Hill has had a rough time of it, putting up a total of -0.8 WAR before a trade to the Milwaukee Brewers this offseason. His defense has declined considerably at both second and third, and has had falling batting averages every year. It is salt in the wound for the Brewers as they watch Segura revitalize his career in Arizona, while Hill flounders around the Mendoza line.

Adding his -0.4 WAR total this year puts him in the worst 15 players over the last three years, most of whom are now out of the Majors. Hill continues to get at bats on what is a surprisingly good offensive Brewers team, even hitting 6th in the lineup most nights. While the Brewers will hope he can find a magical turn around to bring back some of that power, it looks like it’s gone for Hill. He’s only getting worse at all aspects of the game, and is now 34-years old.

Next: Number 2

2. Logan Morrison

2016: 68 PA, .094/.147/.125, -30 wRC+, -1.0 fWAR

Logan Morrison has been a disappointment since his debut. Since being rated as the 18th best prospect in baseball pre-2009, he’s been given 2423 plate appearances. What he’s done with those opportunities is put up 0.7 fWAR, by hitting right at league average and being a below average defender. Seen as a guy who could survive on just his stick, he’s steadily declined since his rookie year, save for a stretch in 2014.

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Last year, he was given a chance to be an everyday player in Seattle, and he rewarded them with -0.2 WAR over 511 PA. His defense was exceptionally poor, and he struggled mightily against left handed pitching, hitting just .190 off southpaws. At the end of the year, he was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays and given another chance to play, this time for over $4 million dollars.

All he’s done so far this year is be the worst hitter in baseball, striking out in 36% of his plate appearances and contributing -1.0 WAR. His defense has taken another step back, and he hasn’t even been able to hit right handed pitching. If the Rays keep sending him out there, he’ll surely improve on the -30 wRC+ he’s put up, but the LoMo experiment should end soon. He’s one of the worst players in baseball, and has been his whole career.

Next: Number 1

1. Ryan Howard

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2016: 94 PA, .190/.255/.417, 59 wRC+, -0.6 fWAR

If Ryan Howard reads this list, he’s probably not going to be that heartbroken. Even if he is, he’s got about 155 million things to help him cheer up. After winning the Rookie of the Year trophy in 2005, Howard went on to win the NL MVP trophy in his sophomore season, hitting a whopping 58 home runs. He went on to post three more seasons with more than 40 home runs from 2007-09, and two solid if unspectacular years following that. Then everything fell apart.