Alexi Amarista

Nicknamed "Little Ninja," Amarista signed with the Rockies prior to 2017 essentially at the request of manager Bud Black, who had managed Amarista during their time in San Diego. However, this reunion wasn't enough to make him relevant in most fantasy formats. His batting average was abysmal (.238), his power was absent (.113 ISO) and his playing time was sporadic. Thankfully, expectations for him heading into the season weren't high, but this performance was still disappointing, especially given half his games were in Colorado. One bright spot heading into 2018 is that he actually hit better on the road last season. Amarista signed a minor-league deal with the Tigers and will fight for a utility role in camp, but it's tough to expect much fantasy production from him.

Amarista posted career highs in average and OBP last season, but that's not saying much. His defensive versatility landed him a job with the Rockies this winter as a utility man, but even with the favorable landing spot, there's still very little to get excited about. Nothing in his profile suggests he will ever provide more than a modicum of speed (he's 38-for-48 in his career as a basestealer over 605 MLB games). Moreover, he's struggled against lefties, posting a paltry .510 OPS in 299 career plate appearances against southpaws. His limited appeal in 2016 was in the fact that NL-only players could slot him as a shortstop, but Amarista begins 2017 with eligibility solely at second base in formats that require 20 games played at a position. Simply put, there are better ways to utilize endgame roster spots even in the deepest of leagues.

The Padres entered the 2015 campaign with concerns about their defense, and the Friars did little to quell those worries with a .683 defensive efficiency that ranked 23rd in the majors. As a result, Amarista moved around the diamond with holes everywhere, making double-digit appearances at shortstop, second, and left field. That bodes well for position eligibility for Amarista, but that's where the fun ends. At the dish, he had his share of problems, batting just .204 with extremely low OBP (.257) and slugging (.287) rates across 324 at-bats. Even though the team declined to pick up Clint Barmes' option for 2016, Amarista's hold on the shortstop position is still very much in question heading into spring training. Should the Padres find an everyday shortstop before camp, Amarista's already-low fantasy stock would likely reach rock bottom as a utility man off the bench.

Amarista slotted into the Padres' injury-riddled lineup wherever his services were required last season, and the result was at least 13 starts apiece at shortstop, second base, third base and in center field. The super-utilityman earned most of his run at short after Everth Cabrera hit the disabled list with a strained hamstring as the calendar turned to July, which combined with a DUI citation in early September to cap Cabrera at 40 at-bats the rest of the year. While Amarista contributed to the Padres’ season-long hitting woes, he engineered a fair two-month stretch at the plate in July and August, assembling a .272/.326/.343 line, seven extra-base hits (including two home runs), seven stolen bases without a failure, and a 14:26 BB:K in 169 at-bats. For the season, though, he deviated little from his historical norm, offering scant contributions to fantasy endeavors. Following the Padres’ decision to not tender a contract to Cabrera, Amarista enters the spring as the starting shortstop by default, but he’ll have to fend off free-agent addition Clint Barmes for the position.

The Padres were once again hammered by injuries in 2013, which benefited a fringe player like Amarista, who garnered at least five starts at second base, shortstop, and left and center fields. He spent a fair portion of the year in a platoon at the latter with Chris Denorfia due to Cameron Maybin's lost season, entering the lineup against right-handed starting pitchers. As a whole, Amarista grades out as a stellar defensive option due to a combined .982 fielding percentage, which will aid in him receiving playing time about the park. He has yet to display the base-stealing prowess from his minor league days, though, succeeding just 12-of-18 times in 695 career at-bats, which will do little to allay his poor eye at the plate. Consequently, expect him to settle into a super-utility role yet again.

Amarista played 18 games at Triple-A Salt Lake in the Angels organization, before being traded to the Padres in early May. From there, he had a short stint in the minors, before playing the rest of the season in the big leagues with the Padres. Part of what makes Amarista intriguing to fantasy owners is the position flexibility he brings, as he played at every defensive position in 2012, outside of first base and catcher. Offensively, he is challenged by the fact that he does not make much contact and he has very limited power. If he were to flash the speed he showed in the minors in 2011, when he stole 15 bases over 396 plate appearances, he would be quite the endgame sleeper, entering 2013. As is, however, he is a player that needs to refine his eye at the plate and continue to bring all of his gloves to the park as he serves as the ultimate utility player for the Padres.

Amarista made his major league debut last season, but he hit just .154 in 23 games. While it remains to be seen if Amarista can hit at the top level, his ability to play both infield and outfield makes him a valuable defensive replacement. Amarista will have a shot at earning a bench job with the big club during spring training.

Amarista began last season in High-A, but he advanced all the way to Triple-A by the end of the season and finished with a .309 batting average, 42 extra-base hits and 25 stolen bases. Amarista has been a high-average/high-stolen-base player throughout his minor league career, so it is now time to start getting excited since he will likely open 2011 in Triple-A again. Still, don’t expect much at the major league level this season unless Amarista tears it up and forces the Angels to deal one of their infielders.