In Some Depth: Second Looks

It would have been really easy this week to discuss how the Cubs' parade of promotions impacts their infield, or how the Brewers' cavalcade of injuries has opened up playing time for such-and-such an outfielder. However, In Some Depth did not take the easy road this week, and it instead continued its irregular tour around the league's depth charts and lineups.

Without any further ado...

Yankees 2B
Starter: Stephen Drew
Next: Gregorio Petit
In the minors: Rob Refsnyder

We attributed Stephen Drew's down 2014 to the fact that he was rusty after he signed with the Red Sox late in the season and missed all of spring training. But what if age and injury have caught up to him and he's no longer the above-average middle infielder we knew and loved in Arizona? Drew does have three home runs through 43 plate appearances, but he only has three hits otherwise. As such, he has begun to bleed at-bats to Gregorio Petit. Petit is no spring chicken, and he has struggled in the 16 plate appearances afforded to him. It won't be long until the Bronx faithful clamor for Rob Refsnyder after he posted a .884 OPS between Dob-e and Triple-A in 2014.

Rays 2B
In the mix: Logan Forsythe, Tim Beckham
On the DL: Nick Franklin

As the calendar turned to 2015, it looked like Tim Beckham's time in the Rays' organization may be coming to a close. After all, the former No. 1 overall pick isn't even the most promising middle infielder named Beckham from the 2008 draft. However, he made the team's Opening Day roster when Nick Franklin started the year on the disabled list, and he has split time with Logan Forsythe at second base, alternating starts over the past week. The two have combined for four home runs, but none of those home runs have come while playing second base. Franklin should be eligible to return from the disabled list in the coming weeks, which should force some action from manager Kevin Cash

Mariners LF
Starter: Dustin Ackley
Next: Rickie Weeks, Justin Ruggiano, Seth Smith

Speaking of second basemen, the Mariners employ two of them in left field. Dustin Ackley has made the most starts at the position through 12 games, and Rickie Weeks and Justin Ruggiano have filled in for him against left-handed starting pitchers. Weeks made 40 of his 51 starts in 2014 against left-handed pitchers, and that tendency has survived the move from Milwaukee to Seattle. Ackley has yet to show much since being drafted behind Stephen Strasburg in 2009, but the Mariners continue to force the square peg in the round hole. At least he has done more than Donavan Tate and Matt Hobgood (both of whom were selected in the top-five of that draft and have yet to make the majors).

Angels 2B

Starter: Johnny Giavotella
Next: Taylor Featherston
In the minors: Josh Rutledge

Johnny Giavotella was an In Some Depth favorite when he backed up Chris Getz in Kansas City. Despite the fact that he only had Getz ahead of him on the depth chart, he was unable to make earn much of an audition after seven years in the Royals' organization. That chance came once he joined the Angels' organization, as the club had no one (other than Josh Rutledge) to play second after Howie Kendrick moved up I-5 to Dodger Stadium. All has been peachy through two weeks in an Angels uniform, as he has a .314/.359/.371 slash line through 39 plate appearances. The power will likely remain near nil, but he should continue to man second as long as he can get on base. Taylor Featherston's Rule 5 status may guarantee him a roster spot, but it does not guarantee playing time.

Braves C
In the mix: Christian Bethancourt, A.J. Pierzynski

Christian Bethancourt is supposedly one of those catching wunderkinds who scaled the pre-season top prospect lists on the strength of his throwing arm. Unfortunately, he has yet to do much at the plate in his 146 plate appearances in the majors, and the Braves appear hesitant to give him the keys on a full-time basis. Veteran A.J. Pierzynski has started five of the team's 12 games so far, and he has managed to hit three home runs in 20 at-bats. He could continue to steal starts behind the plate, but like a base stealer, Bethancourt should catch him eventually.

Rockies C
Starter: Nick Hundley
Next: Michael McKenry
Forgotten: Wilin Rosario

Remember when Wilin Rosario had back-to-back 20+ home run seasons before his age-25 season? He's still only 26, but his shortcomings behind the plate, and Justin Morneau's renaissance in Coors has left him without regular at-bats. The Rockies have looked to former Padre/Oriole Nick Hundley to shoulder the load, with Michael McKenry serving as his No. 2. Hundley had some offensive intrigue in San Diego, but interestingly enough, he only has a .658 OPS in 138 career plate appearances in Denver.

Brewers No. 1

Carlos Gomez is out for the next few weeks, which means the Brewers are out of a leadoff man. Manager Ron Roenicke has looked to Jean Segura and Ryan Braun (!?) through the first five games after Gomez's injury. Braun likely will not hit there much more, but Segura should. Gerardo Parra hit leadoff 155 times for the Diamondbacks from 2012-14, and he could be a candidate if he sees regular playing time in Gomez's absence.

Phillies No. 1

Odubel Herrera has quickly gone from Rangers castoff to displacing Ben Revere as the Phillies' leadoff hitter. Both Revere and Herrera have three stolen bases, but Herrera has also gotten on base at a .362 clip while Revere's is only slightly better than .200. Hence Herrera will bat first while Revere has fallen to eighth.

A's No. 2

The naive image of Mark Canha as a Quad-A masher may not profile as your prototypical No. 2 hitter. However, he showed good on-base skills throughout his minor league career, and he has averaged 3.52 pitches per plate appearance through his first two weeks in the bigs (the same average as Dee Gordon and just slightly fewer than Adam Eaton). It looks like he might stick there for as long as he continues to hit.

Blue Jays No. 2

Last week, I discussed the Blue Jays' insistence to keep Dalton Pompey in the top-third of the lineup. And that's why you shouldn't draw too many conclusions from the season's early goings. Pompey has not batted higher than eighth since April 15, and he has been replaced by Josh Donaldson in the two-spot.