Sam Fuld

Sam Fuld

42-Year-Old OutfielderOF
 Free Agent  
2024 Fantasy Outlook
There was no outlook written for Sam Fuld in 2024. Check out the latest news below for more on his current fantasy value.
$Signed a one-year contract with the A's in December of 2015, avoiding arbitration.
OFOakland Athletics  
Shoulder
April 29, 2016
Fuld (shoulder) was transferred to the 60-day DL on Friday.
ANALYSIS
Surgery has been deemed necessary to repair the rotator cuff in Fuld's shoulder, and he will miss the entire 2016 season as a result of the injury. The procedure has been set for May 18. He may be a non-tender candidate in the offseason.
Read More News
Batting Stats
Loading Batting Stats...
Minor League Game Log
Calculate Stats Over Time
Just click on any two dates.
Loading Minor League Batting Game Log...
Advanced Batting Stats
Loading Advanced Batting Stats...
Additional Stats
Games By Position
Defensive Stats
Loading Games Played by Position...
Loading MLB Defensive Stats...
Batted Ball Stats
Loading Batted Ball Stats...
Stats Vs Upcoming Pitchers
Want more matchup stats?
Loading Matchup Stats...
Past Fantasy Outlooks
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
Fuld struggled mightily at the plate in 2015, hitting only .197 with a .620 OPS over 290 at-bats, his second year in the past three where he batted under .200. After Coco Crisp was moved to left field in spring training, Fuld was set to be the left-handed side of a center field platoon with Craig Gentry. The combined struggles of those two plus the emergence of Billy Burns resulted in Fuld being moved to a bench bat and late-inning replacement in the outfield. Fuld does bring value with his outfield glove, but he just does not hit nearly enough to justify any sort of regular at-bats. The A's re-upped him for one more year due to that defensive value, but even if he finds his way into semi-regular at-bats, his only value in fantasy leagues is the handful of stolen bases he usually provides.
The A's dealt for Fuld at the non-waiver trade deadline in order to bolster their outfield depth. Due to injuries (and the trade of Yoenis Cespedes), Fuld ending up playing almost every day, putting up a paltry .209/.275/.332 line in 187 at-bats with the squad. Fuld managed to steal 19 bases combined with the A's and Twins, but with a low batting average and almost no pop, his value is mostly in his exceptional outfield defense, which does not help fantasy players in a traditional setting. With Jonny Gomes' departure in free agency, there should be at-bats available for Fuld in left field, and he may also find a path to playing time in center field if Coco Crisp continues to have a difficult time staying healthy.
Fuld had a minor role with the Rays in 2013, but played in a career-high 119 games, though he only had 200 plate appearances. He did not take advantage of those opportunities, hitting just .199 with a .537 OPS, but his value is more significant in the field. He is used most often as a defensive replacement capable of playing all three outfield spots, and is a speedy base runner who can stretch an extra base. With a crowd in the outfield for the Rays, Fuld was non-tendered in December.
Fuld's season debut was delayed by wrist surgery to repair the sheath around the wrist. He played his first game near the end of July and contributed well as the Rays' fourth outfielder. Fuld was hitting over .300 at the beginning of September before a cold streak to finish the season, during which he was hampered by a hamstring injury, led to him finishing with a .255/.318/.327 line over 44 games. He is a strong defensive outfielder capable of playing all three outfield spots, and with the departure of B.J. Upton via free agency, Fuld could find more playing time and limited starting opportunities.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
More Fantasy News
OFOakland Athletics  
Shoulder
April 12, 2016
Fuld's shoulder is still not strong enough for baseball activity, and he will undergo another strength test in about 10 days, CSN California's Joe Stiglich reports.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
OFOakland Athletics  
Shoulder
March 28, 2016
Fuld (shoulder) hopes to return to swinging a bat this weekend, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Sam Fuld: Out with shoulder injury
OFOakland Athletics  
Shoulder
March 20, 2016
Fuld will be out for three weeks due to a moderate left shoulder strain, CSN's Joe Stiglich reports.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
OFOakland Athletics  
Shoulder
March 20, 2016
Fuld is scheduled for an MRI on his shoulder Sunday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
OFOakland Athletics  
March 17, 2016
Fuld is likely on the fringe to make the A's Opening Day roster and may need an injury to find his way on the squad.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.