Sam Jacoby Fuld Ellsbury

by IowaCubsWS09 on Aug 22, 2009 9:01 PM CDT Comment 28 comments

I haven't really heard this comparison yet from any of the BCB'ers so I thought I would point it out and leave it up for debate. The more I watch Sam Fuld play the more I can't help but see a comparison between he and Jacoby Ellsbury (I mean come on they even look like twin brothers). They were both drafted pretty low (Ellsbury 23rd/Fuld 10th) and both are OBP machines and play great defense. It is time for him to be a center piece at both the leadoff and CF positions on this Cubs team. The guy has had 2-3 ESPN Web Gems in the last two days. When was the last time a Cubs player had ONE other than Fuld... Reed Johnson last year?

I realize that this is going to make some people cringe at the possible $30 million platoon of Soriano/Bradley in LF in the future. However I don't know about the rest of you but I actually get excited when I watch Fuld play the game. He goes out there and does everything right and gives his all every single play. When I couple that with the possibilities of having both Fuld and Fukudome out there in the field at the same time it makes me think of the energy Ellsbury brought to that 2007 Red Sox team.

This is my lineup for the rest of this year (platoon can start next year). I'm liking the idea of Soriano PH against lefties and Fox PH against righties.

vs. RHP/LHP
CF - Fuld
LF - Bradley
1B - Lee
3B - Ramirez
RF - Fukudome/ 2B- Baker
2B - Baker/ SS - Theriot
SS - Theriot/ RF - Fukudome
C - Hill/ Soto

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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I'm all for Fuld getting PT

The comp I heard other people make for him, prior to this year, was Reggie Willits, but Ellsbury works. Fuld is arguably our best defensive OF (either him or Kosuke, it’d be close), and he has top of the order ability, with solid speed. At the very least, he makes an excellent 4th OF and he should have that role next year (with Reed likely gone), as he can be effective in that role while saving us money. I think he can start, but at the very least, he deserves more PT/AB.

It’s a shame he can’t play 2nd. I’m big on Baker, but if Fuld could play 2nd, we could try installing him at the top of the lineup on a regular basis without concern on the big OF contracts.

by toonsterwu on Aug 22, 2009 9:20 PM CDT reply actions

Kosuke is by far our best OF'er

Fuld is good defensively and sacrifices his body a little more but Fuku has a much stronger arm with better accuracy

"If I were playing third base and my mother were rounding third with the run that was going to beat us, I'd trip her. Oh, I'd pick her up and brush her off and say, 'Sorry, Mom,' but nobody beats me." ~ Leo Durocher

by Musicdude10 on Aug 24, 2009 10:17 PM CDT up reply actions

Fukudome is an okay CF that's all

in CF he plays way too deep, he seems to lack confidence in his ability to go back on a ball and as a consequence allows too many hits to drop in front of him.

I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren

by lookingdeadred on Aug 25, 2009 8:41 AM CDT up reply actions

I don't think Bradley can play LF

It really is not going to make a huge difference having Fuld in LF ,Dome in center even if CF is Fuld’s natural position.
Also I think Fox should get some starts as well.

"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim

by Doggie Stalker on Aug 22, 2009 9:40 PM CDT reply actions

Why not?

LF is easier to play than RF at Wrigley.

by Poloplaya14 on Aug 22, 2009 9:48 PM CDT up reply actions

Perhaps but there really is no point

Why make Milton play out of position when Dome is a excellent in CF and Fuld is a spectacular in LF. On some days I think
Fox , Fuld , Dome would be nice.

"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim

by Doggie Stalker on Aug 22, 2009 9:56 PM CDT up reply actions

Well...

Fukudome is better in RF and Fuld has the range to play CF, so if Bradley could do well in LF, I think that would make our defense better, if only marginally.

by Poloplaya14 on Aug 23, 2009 5:51 PM CDT up reply actions

Maybe because

Fukudome is not an excellent CF, he is at best an okay CF. He is a good RF though.
If Bradley can RF he can certainly play LF as RF is a much harder position to play.
And finally, Fuld, who covers a lot of ground, would help the team more playing CF than by being stuck in LF.

I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren

by lookingdeadred on Aug 24, 2009 8:52 AM CDT up reply actions

I'm sorry, but you're crazy

First of all, do you know that Sam Fuld is two years older than Jacoby Ellsbury?

Second, the most steals that Fuld ever had in the minors was 22, for High A Daytona in 2006. Ellsbury had 41 steals between AA and AAA his last year in the minors—and he was still a year younger than Fuld was at Daytona. Fuld’s highest OBP over a full season was .378, again that year in Daytona. Ellsbury never had an OBP below .382 for any full season in the minors.

Sam Fuld is a fifth outfielder. If he exceeds all expectations, he’s a fourth outfielder. He’s got a nice glove, decent speed and he can draw a walk. But to compare him to Jacoby Ellsbury is like comparing Kevin Hart to Mariano Rivera because they’re both right-handed and feature a cut fastball.

by Josh77 on Aug 23, 2009 1:34 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs

+1

He’s a scrappy, hustling player. (People love that) He had a nice Saturday at Dodger Stadium. Very enjoyable to watch in another sad season.

But that’s all there is with Sam. To repeat from two other threads: Doggie Stalker mentioned it, I thought about it driving back from LA — too bad he’s not a middle infielder.

Then, he might have a chance to stick. But he’s not. As Josh says, his future is somewhat limited.

by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Aug 23, 2009 1:52 AM CDT up reply actions

I posted a long reply in the other thread

Won’t go over it again but I am in general agreement EXCEPT for the “scrappy” part. I don’t want him compared to some other players here because Fuld is truly exceptional defender and has speed as well the brains to use them. Personally I am hoping he can be a 4th outfielder but not sure what the difference is between 4th and 5th.

"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim

by Doggie Stalker on Aug 23, 2009 2:50 AM CDT up reply actions

Sam Fuld is Henry Cotto with better defense

That being said, Henry Cotto had a long career and made a lot of money. We should all hope that Sam has as good of a career.

It's a simple question, Doctor: would you eat the moon if it were made of ribs??

by Invalid User on Aug 23, 2009 10:58 AM CDT up reply actions

Fuld could also be...

… a left-handed Reed Johnson with more speed and less power. Which is also a useful player.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Aug 23, 2009 11:06 AM CDT up reply actions

Right - I think we agree

My comparison to Cotto was a compliment, not an insult. The way Cotto was used in Seattle was how I think Fuld should be used in Chicago: Start about a third of the games, and get about 350 PA/year. But since Sam is a lefty, he won’t get the platoon starts against LHP which Henry got.

Sam is going to be a useful guy to keep for a while. He won’t embarrass the team playing every day while one of the starters is on the DL, give guys a break, be a good leadoff PH in the 7th-9th, and be a defensive replacement. All under team control for a few more years.

It's a simple question, Doctor: would you eat the moon if it were made of ribs??

by Invalid User on Aug 23, 2009 11:18 AM CDT up reply actions

Works for me

I hope Lou gets the message. I do feel bad for RJ though as I don’t see the Cubs keeping him next year.

"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim

by Doggie Stalker on Aug 23, 2009 11:30 AM CDT up reply actions

There's no need too

I love the guy, but with a younger better player like Fuld, there’s no need.

"That pitch wasn’t down and in, that pitch was down and up." Tim McCarver

by wrigleyrocker12 on Aug 23, 2009 8:30 PM CDT up reply actions

the OBP thing

Let’s take a look at the statistics. If you peek at their slash lines adjusted for park/luck during their minor league careers, you’ll find that Sam Fuld has a higher OBP in the minors than Jacoby Ellsbury. Ellsbury’s OBP was propped up. Fuld has also shown, in his minor league career, better power if you peek at the adjusted lines.

I think Fuld is a depth OF for the most part … but that he could start in CF for some teams. He needs to find the right fit, but to call that crazy, I’d disagree with that. Also, to say that comapring Fuld to Ellsbury is like Hart to Rivera, that’s just flat out ridiculous/ludicrous. The difference between Ellsbury/Fuld is marginal, with Fuld being the better overall hitter in the minors, IMO (and statistically), but with Ellsbury having more speed (pre-injury, Fuld’s raw speed was probably closer to Ellsbury’s). They are different players, but the difference either way isn’t by much. Fuld’s a stronger overall defensive player, with a better arm, while Ellsbury has more range in CF. As noted, the OBP point is somewhat … wrong for a lack of a better word.

Earlier this summer, when Fukudome was still struggling and the Cubs top of the order sucked, Fuld’s skillset would’ve been a fine fit. Does Fuld fit as a starter for most situations? No. If he can’t stick in CF, he likely won’t ever be considered as a starter for most teams. Are there situations where Fuld can start, and have it be justified as a good fit? Yes.

by toonsterwu on Aug 23, 2009 4:53 AM CDT up reply actions

Thanks for doing the work

I’m way too lazy to have the initiative to look that up on my own. I’m glad Fuld’s adjusted stats fare better than we would probably expect. I read that ESPN Mag story on him (talking about his diabetes, education, stats background etc.) and have been a fan, it would be nice to have a smart, defensively sound player on the Cubs.

by Weapon.X on Aug 23, 2009 10:32 AM CDT up reply actions

Even so

Fuld did it at an older age at lower levels. There’s no comparison.

by Josh77 on Aug 23, 2009 2:46 PM CDT up reply actions

Interesting counterpoint.

I wouldn’t doubt that Fuld could start on a smaller market team. Nonetheless, I still see him as only a 4th/5th OF on the Cubs – and a fine one at that. Put him in as a defensive replacement when- and whereever feasible.

I've committed to tweeting about the Cubs for the rest of the season. (Does that sound as ridiculous as I think it does?) Anyway, if you're on Twitter, you can follow me here.

by dat cubfan daver on Aug 25, 2009 11:33 AM CDT up reply actions

good post

The comparison of Fold to Ellsbury was goofy.

I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren

by lookingdeadred on Aug 24, 2009 8:53 AM CDT up reply actions

Ellsbury was drafted 23rd overall in 2005

by smmcctrk on Aug 23, 2009 10:30 AM CDT via mobile reply actions

The guy has had 2-3 ESPN Web Gems in the last two days. When was the last time a Cubs player had ONE other than Fuld… Reed Johnson last year?

What about Reed Johnson’s catch this year in Milwaukee?

"Chicago Cubs fans are ninety percent scar-tissue." -George F. Will

by In Piniella We Trustiella on Aug 23, 2009 10:34 PM CDT reply actions

Wow.

That was this year, wasn’t it? Seems like it was about five years ago.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Aug 24, 2009 7:05 AM CDT up reply actions

it was a better time

back then…

Theriot is not clutch, he's double clutch!

by jesus christos on Aug 24, 2009 10:03 PM CDT up reply actions

why not

fuld in left (hes better than bradley in left) fook in center and bradley in right

Nutdrinkingamp12
Live Long and Prosper

by nutdrinkingamp12 on Aug 24, 2009 9:56 AM CDT reply actions

Please don't say "fook."

I've committed to tweeting about the Cubs for the rest of the season. (Does that sound as ridiculous as I think it does?) Anyway, if you're on Twitter, you can follow me here.

by dat cubfan daver on Aug 25, 2009 11:29 AM CDT up reply actions

what does it say

about Hendry and the player development people witht he success Fuld, Fox, and Theriot have had after spending significant time in the minors before getting a chance.

Hey, Hey! Hey, Hey! Hey, Hey!

by TheCubsGuy on Aug 24, 2009 11:23 AM CDT reply actions