Willie Harris

2013

There was no outlook written for Willie Harris.

2012

Harris received 114 of his 240 at-bats in April and September, seeing most of his action in left field in place of Jason Bay. He posted a solid .351 OBP and might have second-base eligibility in some leagues due to the 10 games he played there in 2011. Harris latched on with the Reds in January, and will battle for a bench role as a utility option with the ability to provide a left-handed pinch-hitting option.

2011

Harris just couldn't get it going at the plate last season, although he made good contact when he was able to get his bat on the ball (10 homers in just 224 at-bats and a career-high .179 ISO). His defensive versatility continues to fade, though, and as little more than a backup corner outfielder with an iffy stick he may have trouble getting anything more than a minor league contract this offseason.

2010

Harris' batting average sagged in 2009, but he drew more walks and maintained his ISO (although his fantasy owners would have been happier with more home runs and fewer doubles and triples). He probably won't get another chance to be even a part-time starter in the Washington outfield, but he's still a useful utility player who can steal some bases for you.

2009

At age 30, Harris came up with an improbable power spike to not only save his career but put himself in position to be the supersub everyone always expected him to become. The Nationals' outfield has injury concerns so Harris should see plenty of work backing up all three spots, and he'll get his chance to repeat his homers and steals double-double.

2008

Harris caught fire after being called up from Triple-A in April, hitting over .400 for much of the season and becoming part of a platoon in left field for the Braves. But he faded after the All-Star break, hitting just .214/.294/.354. He signed with Washington in the offseason and will be used in a utility role. His strong first half last season looks like an aberration given his recent mediocre seasons at the plate, but he could have some fantasy value in a limited role given his speed and positional flexibility.

2006

Harris lost the starting second base job to Tadahito Iguchi, then lost a supersub role to Pablo Ozuna in camp, before finally losing the confidence of his biggest booster in GM Kenny Williams. A fresh start on a team that needs a second sacker and values speed, such as the Marlins, could be in order.

2005

Harris finally started putting the plate discipline he showed in Triple-A to work, posting a liveable-for-a-leadoff-man .343 OBP. The Sox then traded for 'proven' table-setter Scott Podsednik (whose OBP was 30 points lower) and signed Japanese Leaguer Tadahito Iguchi, which will probably exile Harris to the bench.

2004

Harris ripped up Triple-A pitching to start the year, but showed his limitations at the plate after the Sox called him up. He's got some value as a two-position defensive sub and pinch runner, but his future is on the bench.

2003

Harris struggled in his first real shot at the majors (.233/.270/.294) and wasn't a whole lot better in Triple-A before his call-up, but at least he gets paid a lot less than Royce Clayton. His profile smacks of a career pinch-runner and utility player, not the Sox' second baseman of the future, but he'll get a chance to win the job in the spring and might give you some cheap steals.