Josh Fields

Fields lost his 2010 season to a hip injury and was non-tendered by the Royals. He barely managed a .300 OBP during his 2009 season, so there's not a lot of hope for a big comeback season in Pittsburgh where he'll compete for a spot on the bench.

The Fields experience in Chicago has finally run its course. The White Sox handed Fields the keys to third base to start the year, but he did not impress at the plate or in the field. Result: Gordon Beckham took over at third in early June and forced Fields into a reserve role and eventually to Triple-A Charlotte. The 23 home runs of 2007 are but a distant memory, as he only had 24 extra-base hits in 337 at-bats between Chicago and Charlotte. He will get a fresh start in Kansas City, but it�s not clear where he'll fit in defensively.

Tendinitis in his knee prevented Fields from taking over when Joe Crede's back knocked him out of the lineup. When he did get a chance, striking out in about half of his plate appearances ended it quickly. He should get one more shot at the third-base job this spring, but all he offers is two categories, and he will kill your batting average if he plays.

Fields got off to a good start at Triple-A (.283/.394/.498 with 10 homers) and earned himself a callup when Joe Crede went down with a back injury. He split time between third base and left field but his future is as a third basemen. Fields cranked out 23 homers in just 100 games but hit just .244 for the White Sox. He got absolutely abused by right-handers in the big leagues (.213/.284/.393) but didn't show much of a platoon split at Triple-A so we'll hope it's just a sample-size issue. If it's not, that presents a real problem. The White Sox have been clear that he'll either play everyday at third base for them or at Triple-A so his value depends greatly on whether the Sox are able to deal Joe Crede over the winter.

Fields continued to strike out at an alarming rate in 2006, but his 32 doubles, 19 home runs and 28 steals in 33 tries at Triple-A Charlotte scream that he is ready for the majors. If the White Sox can swing a deal to send Joe Crede out of town, Fields will be the team's new third baseman. If not, he may be a work in progress in the outfield. Either way, Fields will need to keep his average up and power numbers high to keep management from noticing the holes in his swing.

Work-in-progress Fields showed some improvement in his second pro season, particularly in taking walks, but also displayed the same alarming propensity to come up empty when he swung that sabotaged Joe Borchard's (another football conversion project of GM Kenny Williams) climb to the big leagues. Without more contact, Fields' career could stall at Triple-A too.

The White Sox's first round pick in 2004 had a decent pro debut, but his poor plate discipline is going make Sox fans think 'Joe Borchard Jr' if he doesn't turn it around. He's only 22 though, so it's a little early to be tarring him with that brush.

Fields, the Oklahoma State QB, is an exciting athlete that's raw defensively but scouts believe he has the make up and athletic ability to overcome it, and can obviously throw. A patient approach and good power from the 210-pound frame round out the package.