Sam Fuld

2013

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2012

Fuld was one of the better "feel-good" stories in baseball after he burst onto the scene with stolen bases and acrobatic catches. Unfortunately, Fuld was not able to maintain consistent production at the plate and was relegated to being the fourth outfielder. He ended up batting .240 for the season and chipped in 20 stolen bases, making him a viable fantasy option at times. With the Rays outfield likely set with Desmond Jennings, B.J. Upton and Matt Joyce, Fuld will likely reprise his role as a pinch-runner and late-inning defensive replacement. Keep an eye on the Rays' outfield as he could be a decent source of steals should he find regular playing time as a result of injury or lack of production from a starter.

2011

Fuld is a good defensive center fielder with an excellent batting eye, passable base-running skills and little power. At 29, he's not a prospect, but could make the Rays' roster as a reserve option capable of playing all three outfield spots after being acquired as part of the Matt Garza deal with the Cubs in January.

2010

While Fuld didn't do anything special at Triple-A Iowa last year, he was very solid in his late-season callup with the Cubs, playing good defense in center and showing tremendous plate discipline in 97 at-bats. Fuld is a good contact hitter, will draw walks and can steal a base, but he has very little power and at 28 is no longer a prospect. He'll battle in spring training for the center-field job (though the Cubs are likely to bring in a starter via free agency), but is probably best suited to a fourth outfielder role.

2009

Fuld was nominally in the running for the center field job in spring training last year, but it's likely the Cubs were just trying to motivate prospect Felix Pie (unsuccessfully). The 26-year-old Fuld isn't much of a prospect, barely holding his own at Double-A a year ago.

2008

After showing good on-base skills in the high minors last year, Fuld tore up the Arizona Fall League, putting up a .402/.492/.626 line with 10 steals in 88 at-bats. As a result, the 26-year-old Fuld is in the mix for the team's center field job. With Jacque Jones going to Detroit, Felix Pie still needing to prove himself and Angel Pagan being traded to the Mets, center field is Fuld's job for the taking. Still, it's hard to imagine the Cubs not making more moves if Pie has a poor spring.