Brendan Harris

Harris enters 2009 as a likely utility player after failing to hold onto a starting role with the Twins last season. He was anointed the starter at second base to begin the season, but struggled to turn the double play and was moved to a utility role. He played 55 games at shortstop often starting when injuries struck, but moved to a platoon role at third base later in the season when the infield returned to full strength. Harris has decent plate discipline and some pop for a middle infielder, but isn't seen as a strong glove at shortstop (despite finishing in the upper half of the AL in range factor) or at second base. He could win a platoon role at third base again if Joe Crede gets hurt, but he'll most likely return to a utility role.

Harris turned out to be one of the Rays' more pleasant surprises, taking over the everyday second base role in mid-April (allowing the Rays to keep B.J. Upton in center field) and then moving over to shortstop for the past two months after Ben Zobrist got hurt. However, Harris did suffer a long late-summer slump (.221 over 36 games in August and September), and then missed the last two weeks with a lat strain. Harris is a below-average defensive shortstop; he'll likely start the spring as the Twins' everyday second baseman, but if his bat doesn't stay hot, Harris might be moved into a utility role by year's end.

Tampa Bay acquired Harris over the winter, and he has a legitimate chance to make the Opening Day roster as their utility infielder. That's about the extent of his upside, however.

Harris once again finds himself a player without a position, as he's blocked at both second base and third base in the Nationals organization. His Triple-A numbers in 2005 don't indicate he's ready to be a major league starter at either spot, however -- it's possible his chance will never come, and that his career will remain stuck in limbo.

Harris, brought in to be the franchise's third sacker of the future, had the rug pulled out from under him when new Nats GM Jim Bowden signed Vinny Castilla. He won't turn 25 until August, so Harris will just have to turn in another solid Triple-A campaign and keep his fingers crossed.

Harris spent the entire 2003 season at Double-A West Tennessee, batting .280/.364/.425. He followed that up with a decent campaign in the AFL, hitting .302/.358/.469. Harris will probably open the season at Triple-A Iowa. His future with the Cubs might lie at second base rather than third base, with Aramis Ramirez in place ahead of him. Harris has good plate discipline and decent speed, and the Cubs believe he'll develop more power as he matures. Expect Harris to get a September callup this season, but he's not likely to make an impact until 2005.

Harris dominated the High-A Florida State League (.329-.395-.532), splitting his games almost 50/50 between second and third base at both levels before hitting well in 53 at-bats at Double-A. Long-term, he likely projects as a third baseman, and might be little more than a year away.