Curious to hear how other coaches set up their bench players.  For me personally....I like to carry vs. R Catcher, and vs. L Catcher.  I also do the same at Shortstop. 

Pretty much the rest of my bench players are either platoon players vs. specific Lefty/righy or just the best hitters possible.



What do you like to do with your bench?

I like a Power guy on the bench. An average guy on the bench. An extra SS on the bench. An extra C on the bench. Ideally. 

1) Catcher who complements my primary catcher; usually my second catcher is excellent defensively and doesn't totally suck against LHP.

2) 4-5 guys, 2 up the middle and 2-3 other, who either (a) are viable reserves to play every day for a while in case of injury, but get a bunch of ABs from resting my starters, (b) are platooning with a starter (and I platoon a lot), or (c) have a key skill (usually an élite glove and/or baserunner) that get them playing time in specialized situations.  I'll always have a couple each of (a) and (b) but if my starters are good defensively I can go without a (c).

Anyone else care to weigh in?

Depends on if I'm in the AL or the NL and also if  I have any platooning going on, and the team I have in general. But, generally speaking, I like to have one player who can play 1B/LF who can hit a bit and utilize him primarily as a pinch hitter and backup to spell my regular starters. I have one CIF/COF type and a backup SS. I like one of those two guys to have some pop and the other with speed. And I always carry a second C. If my starting C is a defensive type, I try to get his backup to be offensive and vice versa. 

I carry 11 pitchers, so I have 6 bench slots (NL).  2 ss/cf/2b, 2 corner, 2 catchers (3rd catcher primarily a PH).