Brandon Guyer

Guyer's playing time and performance both took a step back last season. He missed six weeks with a left wrist injury and was limited to 192 plate appearances, posting just a 78 wRC+, down from a career-high of 122 the year before. Surgery on the wrist was deemed necessary, and Guyer's status for the start of 2018 is uncertain. His OBP fell dramatically last season despite an uptick in walks, as his HBP total dropped from 31 to eight. Guyer remains a strict platoon player, with an average 48 points higher against lefties than righties in 2017, a split that exactly matches his career split. His part-time role leaves him irrelevant in most mixed formats, but he provides some value in deep OBP and standard-scoring AL-only leagues as a fifth outfielder.

Meet the modern king of the HBP. After leading the AL by getting plunked 24 times in 128 games in 2015, Guyer upped the ante last season with a major-league leading 31 hit-by-pitches despite playing in just 108 contests split between the Rays and Indians. And there's the rub: his drillings may have contributed nine points to Guyer's OBP, but his frequent trips to the disabled list reflect the cost inherent in taking the Happy Gilmore approach to Major League pitchers. Entering his age-31 season, the late bloomer is still under team control for two more seasons, and he is in the right organization to maximize his platoon-specific capabilities: for his career, Guyer has a robust slash of .289/.391/.470 against southpaws but a modest line of .236/.307/.377 when facing right-handers in eight fewer plate appearances. The Indians will funnel his at-bats appropriately, which likely means a lot of games with fewer than three plate appearances.

It's hard to believe that 2015 was Guyer's first full season in the majors, but he played more than initially expected due to injuries in the Rays' outfield. The 29-year-old played well enough to keep him in the lineup throughout the year, logging 128 games played. He fared better against left-handed pitching, posting a .844 OPS with seven home runs when facing southpaws as opposed to a .673 OPS with one homer versus right-handers, which continues to steer him into the small side of a platoon. Guyer has solid on-base skills when used correctly and carries decent speed, but he will need to improve against righties in order to carve out a larger role.

Guyer made the Rays' roster to begin the season because he was out of options, but did surprisingly well after looking overmatched in previous exposure to the big leagues. He is not an everyday outfielder as he struggles against righties but does well when matched up against lefties. Guyer is a good contact hitter with a line drive swing that can also steal bases when the opportunity presents itself. At 29, there is no growth to his game and he is what he is. If he is forced into playing time with increased injuries to the regulars, the batting average will suffer. Ideally, he gets the at bats against lefties that David DeJesus must give up, but Guyer projects to be a part-time player for the Rays in 2015.

Guyer began the season with Triple-A Durham and seemed a likely candidate for a September call-up with the Rays until a broken finger essentially ended his season. It is the second straight year an injury prevented him from cracking the major league roster. He had a solid offensive season in the minors over 98 games, hitting .301/.374/.458 with seven home runs and 41 RBI. He also showed his aptitude on the basepaths again by going 22-for-25 on steal attempts. As a right-handed, speedy outfielder, Guyer should have a chance to bounce between Triple-A and the majors in 2014.

Guyer just missed the chance to start the season with the Rays in 2012, but still received the call in early May. Unfortunately, a torn labrum ended his season only three games into a major league stay. He had a strong start at Triple-A Durham hitting .294/.365/.459 with three home runs and 13 RBI in 22 games. Over the years, Guyer has proven to have a solid bat at the minor league level in addition to above average speed. With possible playing time opportunities in the corner-outfield spots for the Rays, Guyer could have the chance to step in and earn extra at-bats this season in reserve.

A former minor league player of the year with the Cubs organization, Guyer settled in nicely for the Rays at Triple-A Durham. In just 388 at-bats, he hit .312 and launched 14 home runs, solid numbers considering Durham is considered pitcher-friendly. He received limited playing time with the Rays late in the season, but responded with two home runs in 43 plate appearances. Guyer does possess a nice speed/power combo, but will likely be sent to Triple-A to get everyday at-bats with the Rays outfield already penciled in. He's not a big prospect at 26, but would be an interesting option if he somehow worked his way to regular at-bats.

Guyer was named the Cubs' minor league player of the year after hitting .344/.398/.588 and stealing 30 bases in 33 attempts at Double-A Tennessee. Keep in mind Guyer's already 25, so he's hardly a top prospect, but his speed and decent power combo are intriguing. The Rays acquired him as part of the Matt Garza trade with the Cubs in January, so he'll vie for at-bats in a crowded group jockeying for position with Carl Crawford's departure to Boston.