Jake Elmore

Elmore continued his life as an MLB journeyman by electing free agency after the 2015 season, leaving his fourth team in four years and joining the Brewers on a minor league deal that includes an invite to spring training in 2016. The 28-year-old did see a career high in plate appearances last year with Tampa Bay thanks to a glut of infield injuries, but he did little with them, hitting .206/.263/.284 with two home runs. His defensive versatility is likely what appealed to the Brewers, considering he appeared at all four infield positions, left field, and pitcher in 2015. In fact, he was actually the Rays’ starting first baseman for a short, incredible period of time thanks to a James Loney finger injury. With a career .516 OPS, Elmore is unlikely to be very useful in fantasy, even if he finds his way to some big league playing time in Milwaukee.

In one calendar year, Elmore has been a member of the Astros, White Sox, A's, Reds and now the Pirates, who claimed him when the Reds tried to pass him through waivers in November. Elmore has a good eye, but nothing happens when he makes contact, raising the question whether he'd be able to draw many walks at the big league level once opposing pitchers realize he can't hurt them when they throw strikes. His complete lack of power likely precludes him from getting a shot at a long-term role.

Known more for his versatility on defense after becoming the first player in Astros history to play all nine positions in a single season, Elmore was limited to 52 games in his super-utility role and did not contribute much offensively. The 26-year-old employs a good approach at the plate, with great discipline (0.65 BB/K ratio) that he backs up with an 83 percent contact rate. Unfortunately, those measures have not translated to big league success, as his .242/.313/.325 line from last season might suggest. Elmore's batting average is likely to improve this season, but don't expect much in the counting stats. He'll look to secure a utility role with the White Sox after being picked up via waivers during the offseason.

A lack of major league ready depth to play shortstop behind Stephen Drew opened the door for Elmore to make his big league debut with the D-Backs last season. In his age-25 season, he hit .345/.445/.469 with 33 steals at Triple-A Reno (a very hitter-friendly environment), but he carried a .497 OPS over 30 big league games and did little to prove that his numbers with Reno were anything more than a mirage. Elmore was claimed off waivers by the Astros in November and will enter the mix for a utility role this spring as a defense-first bench option.