Position player

In baseball, certain players on defense

In baseball, a position player is a player who on defense plays as an infielder, outfielder, or catcher. A pitcher is not considered a position player. A designated hitter, who bats but does not play any defensive position, is also not considered a position player.

Position players are eligible to pitch, and a manager will use a position player as a relief pitcher on some occasions. This typically happens if a game is a blowout, if no other pitchers are available, or if the game has gone well into extra innings.^[1]

In other sports

In ice hockey, "position player" refers to all non-goaltender players (forwards and defencemen), although "skater" is the more common term.

References

^ "Position players pitching more than a fad". MLB.com. Retrieved 25 November 2021.

Baseball positions

Pitchers

by role	Starter Ace Opener Reliever Middle reliever Long reliever Setup man Closer Left-handed specialist Swingman
by style	Power Control Ground ball Fly ball Switch

Defensive
players

by type	Pitcher Catcher Infielder Outfielder Utility player Position player
by number	Pitcher (1/P) Catcher (2/C) First baseman (3/1B) Second baseman (4/2B) Third baseman (5/3B) Shortstop (6/SS) Left fielder (7/LF) Center fielder (8/CF) Right fielder (9/RF)

Offensive
players

by role	Batter Runner Batting order (1–9) Designated hitter Pinch hitter Pinch runner Leadoff hitter Cleanup hitter
by style	Clutch hitter Contact hitter Power hitter Switch hitter