In Some Depth: Who's on First

In Some Depth: Who's on First

This article is part of our In Some Depth series.

Usually, In Some Depth looks at the state of the league's depth charts. I've taken a bit of a different tact this week since the depth charts have been remarkably of stable lately. Sure, there are a few places around the league where 15-day DL stints have caused a minor ruckus, but many of those should be reverting back shortly. So instead, I am taking look at the most stable situations in the league.

Below are the players who have played the greatest percentage of team innings, by infield position (things get a bit messier in the outfield).

Without any further ado ...

Catcher

Miguel Montero -- 88%
Salvador Perez -- 88%
Yadier Molina -- 88%
Carlos Ruiz -- 82%
Jonathan Lucroy -- 81%
Yan Gomes -- 81%
Jarrod Saltalamacchia -- 80%
Mike Zunino -- 79%
Welington Castillo -- 79%
Tyler Flowers -- 79%

The top three guys on this list are established hosses both behind and beside the plate. Miguel Montero is back to posting an OPS+ in the 120s after last year's turn in the 80s, and Yadier Molina is in the non-Tulowitzki tier of NL MVP candidates. The bottom half of this list consists of catchers on pace to set career highs in games played. Welington Castillo may be the weak link of this list, but catcher seems to be the one offensive position at which the Cubs do not have a prospect primed to hit the majors.



First Basemen

Paul Goldschmidt -- 100%
Eric Hosmer -- 100%
Freddie Freeman -- 100%
Anthony Rizzo -- 99%
Justin Smoak -- 98%
Adrian Gonzalez -- 95%
Joey Votto -- 94%
Nick Swisher -- 93%
James Loney -- 92%
Matt Adams -- 91%

First base is unsurprisingly home to the greatest number of 100-percent men. Paul Goldschmidt, Eric Hosmer and Freddie Freeman are about as durable as you can get, and they are all key cogs of their respective lineups. The same could have been said about Joey Votto before his recent quad injury. It will be interesting to see how long Swisher sticks in the top-10 here with prospect Jesus Aguilar now on the big league club. Justin Smoak has fended off former-outfielder Corey Harrt thus far, but he might shed some appearances to former-catcher Jesus Montero later this year.

Second Basemen

Brian Dozier -- 100%
Ian Kinsler -- 100%
Jose Altuve -- 99%
Neil Walker -- 99%
Howie Kendrick -- 95%
Dustin Pedroia -- 95%
Robinson Cano -- 95%
Brandon Phillips -- 95%
Daniel Murphy -- 95%
Jedd Gyorko -- 94%

Brian Dozier has been one of the better surprises in fantasy this season, and his opportunities to put up counting stats should continue if he plays every single inning for the Twins (he will probably get a few breaks). The Mets' shortstop situation has been a mess this season, but Daniel Murphy is having a career year at second (a cool .368 OBP). Howie Kendrick dealt with injuries the past three seasons, but he has played all but 18 innings in 2014. Former second baseman/current outfielder Grant Green has only played seven innings for the Halos.

Shortstops

Alcides Escobar -- 100%
Alexei Ramirez -- 99%
Ian Desmond -- 99%
Starlin Castro -- 99%
Adeiny Hechavarria -- 98%
Elvis Andrus -- 96%
Everth Cabrera -- 95%
Yunel Escobar -- 95%
Asdrubal Cabrera -- 95%
Erick Aybar -- 95%

Starlin Castro may have been in the Cubs' doghouse last season, but he still played an NL-high 1,418 innings in 2013, and he is on track to approach that number in 2014. Adeiny Hechavarria has been a somewhat competent hitter this season thanks to a .321 BABIP (which is similar to the .323 he put up in 2012 with the Jays). Andrelton Simmons narrowly missed the top-10 due to a wrist injury that caused him to miss a few April games.

Third basemen

Nolan Arenado -- 100%
David Wright -- 99%
Matt Carpenter -- 97%
Todd Frazier -- 96%
Evan Longoria -- 96%
Casey McGehee -- 96%
Pedro Alvarez -- 94%
Chris Johnson -- 91%
Kyle Seager -- 90%
Trevor Plouffe -- 90%

The list of third basemen contains but one surprise – Casey McGehee playing 96 percent of the Marlins' innings at third base. Not only was he playing in Japan this time last season, but Ed Lucas, Derek Dietrich and Donovan Solano are also all capable of playing third. We might see those latter three play there more often if/when McGehee fades.

Have questions about guys outside of the top-10? A regular depth charts-y question? Ask away in the comments ...

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ryan Eisner
Ryan has been writing for Rotowire since 2007. He currently writes about baseball and covers the White Sox.
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