2010 BCB Community Projections: Sam Fuld
by Al Yellon on Mar 3, 2010 8:00 AM CST
in Community Projections
60 comments
Tomorrow, at last, we will have a baseball game to pay attention to!
So, this is the last in the community projection series. We will have projected 2010 stats for 22 Cubs players.
Sam Fuld has become a fan favorite for his hustle, attitude and propensity to almost literally run through walls to catch baseballs. He also showed decent offensive ability, hitting .299/.409/.412 in 115 plate appearances. Had he not hit that HR on the last day of the season, driving in two runs, he would have set a major league record for most PA in a season with zero RBI.
Seriously, Fuld is a fine backup to have -- he can get on base, pinch-run, and play all three OF positions.
Post your projections after the jump. When SWL has all the spreadsheets tabulated, I'll post the results. Each of the spreadsheets was left open for about a week after posting, so it'll be at least a week from now before the results will be finalized.
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oops-is=it
he just got me so excited leaping through walls in a single bound
"Fasten those seatbelts"-Pat Hughes
Too Many Supermen
Shaq, then Dwight Howard.
And Sam’s a brain too. How about
"On offense, your most precious possessions are your 27 outs" - Earl Weaver
by RiskyBusiness on Mar 3, 2010 10:59 AM CST up reply actions
In under 200 at bats, Sam secures
a .265 batting average and 1 restraining order. (Sorry Doggie)
may addition by subtraction be real
The new Doug Dascenzo, or the poor man's John Cangelosi?
Either way, he seems to be the classic 5th outfielder. Probably can pitch too.
"C'mon Freeman, throw the ball somewhere!" Brickhouse, incensed, 5/15/58
"Welcome to Wrigley Field, Mr. Bah-oo-tah!" Brickhouse, rubbing it in, 7/6/60
Fuld is a better fielder than Cangelosi.
Probably somewhat better hitter, too.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
How?
At least Fuld has some plate discipline and gets on base, and he’s a far better defender than Pods.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Well,
Better defender yes, better plate discipline? Probably? Too small of a major league sample size to make that call. Fuld’s numbers in the minors were nothing special, I’m not sold that he’s gonna be a consistent player at this level. Pods is/was a better baserunner/base-stealer and in his prime probably as good a hitter as Fuld could hope to be.
My hyperbole in calling Fuld a “homeless man’s Scott Podsednik” was a little harsh. But I think people are rushing to judgment on Fuld’s ability and getting carried away with what he will actually bring to this team.
Also,
Pods played a pivotal role on a World Championship team and is married to a former playboy model. So he’s got that on Fuld as well.
Well, the model thing, sure.
Sam Fuld’s wife went to Princeton, and played goaltender on the lacross team. So he’s got that on Pods.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
She also won a Championship with Princeton
and works in finance ( I suspect she made more than her husband at least until this year), which is bit more admirable to me than being a Playboy Bunny.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Mar 3, 2010 9:55 PM CST up reply actions
That seems about right...
Henry was a valuable caddy for Mathews in ‘84. Looking up his stats, I see he was in more than 100 games with around 150 AB’s. It’s also a minor shock to see that the youngest of the ‘84 Cubs is almost 50. During his short tour with the Yankees, I saw him hit a ball out to Monument Park at the Stadium. Who knew he had that kind of power? Maybe we’ll see Sam send a couple out to Sheffield this year now that he’s found the stroke.
"C'mon Freeman, throw the ball somewhere!" Brickhouse, incensed, 5/15/58
"Welcome to Wrigley Field, Mr. Bah-oo-tah!" Brickhouse, rubbing it in, 7/6/60
♪Tomorrow! Tomorrow! I love ya, Tomorrow!♫
Sorry-don’t mean to get that song stuck in anyone’s head, but my son is in the play Annie this week and it fits. He’s playing a cop. He surprised me last weekend in the first performance by using his little Cubs souvenir bat as a billy club. He seemed to be making sure the Cubs logo was pointing out to the crowd so I’d see. It cracked me up.
"Fasten those seatbelts"-Pat Hughes
I look forward to a full season of Fuld.
No jokes please. Defense and a good eye at the plate have not exactly been the Cubs stronge suite of late. My guess is he will be a “regular” in the 8th & 9th inning mostly for Soriano but possibly for Byrd or Nady in any game with less than a 5 run margin. I kind of hope Lou might let him lead off when he gets starts. He may not be the fastest runner, but he is the smartest runner on the team. Apparently unlike LSU, Stanford teaches you how to run the bases without getting thrown out.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Mar 3, 2010 9:10 AM CST reply actions 1 recs
When Sam plays the Cubs will be Fuld of Win
"A waist is a terrible thing to mind." - Terry 'Fat Tub of Goo' Forster
@Twitter as @brommmietze
Having Fuld play might sell more tickets too. :)
Sorry couldn’t resist after you said “no jokes please.”
"Fasten those seatbelts"-Pat Hughes
Alas the Sam Fuld Fan Club
can probably meet in a phone booth. I doubt anyone is buying tickets to see him, unless of course he promises to crash into
a wall or fence that day.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Mar 3, 2010 11:48 AM CST up reply actions
Which phone booth?
I’ll meet you there!
I’ll admit I have a biased soft spot for Fuld given that we’re both diabetics
"Baseball is almost the only orderly thing in a very unorderly world. If you get three strikes, even the best lawyer in the world can't get you off." ~ Bill Veeck
I didn't see a place for
restraining orders against Jessica
There is no such thing as an ugly female breast
The problem
with Fuld is that he has has no power. Otherwise a nice backup
Power is overated. Seriously
Haven’t we had enough trouble with back ups with power who can’t field and don’t have enough plate discipline? Power guys who can’t field always find a spot even in the NL, but guys like Fuld who have great defense and can hit for CONTACT are often dismissed as having little value. I still remember a game last year where Lou must literally have not been paying attention to the bench and put Fuld in to pinch hit with two out in the 7th and the Cubs down by 2 or 3 runs. Fuld hit and got on but did not score.
The Cubs tied the game in the 8th but Hoff had to play LF in the 9th. There was a tough to field ball, he had no chance and the other team tied the game and won in 10. If Fuld had been playing LF , I suspect they would have won. Again defense can be as valuable as offense, especially late in the game.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Mar 3, 2010 9:52 AM CST up reply actions
Slightly OT: Reason #511 Why We Need Baseball Games Now...
First let me offer up my sincere apologies to all the couth and well-mannered Cubs fans out there for this little nugget.
I was out walking the dog this morning and I felt the need to spit. So after letting loose with a nice one into a slight cross-wind, I noticed a slight bend to the loogie as it dropped. I immediately thought “curve ball, down and away…”
Man, it’s been a long winter….
p.s. and for those of you wondering – yes, Soriano did swing at it…
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Not one that you could catch?
I find when I need to toss something out at my office, I put a little english on it just to see if anything happens. Sometimes it does. I usually do a strike motion if it does
Nice to know I’m not the only one who misses the game and sees it in real life
"Baseball is almost the only orderly thing in a very unorderly world. If you get three strikes, even the best lawyer in the world can't get you off." ~ Bill Veeck
that strike motion is quite instinctive isn't it...
I find myself raising and then extending the arm quite a bit in totally non-baseball situations. Back in my younger, more judgmental days, I used to do it a lot during business meetings at work. And yes, I got my fair share of strange looks…
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Couldn't help but chuckle
Would have been great if you barked “Straaaaa eeeeeeeeeek!” As a former ump of little league games, that was my favorite part. I’m not bold enough to do it in an office of 40 people or so.
"Baseball is almost the only orderly thing in a very unorderly world. If you get three strikes, even the best lawyer in the world can't get you off." ~ Bill Veeck
Prediction plans...
So what are the plans for all these collected predictions? Are you just going to average them out and post that, or will you show the highs and lows (aka the optimist and pessimist for each player)? Perhaps there was a post on this earlier, but I obviously missed it and a recap would be nice :-)
Maybe this will help
"A waist is a terrible thing to mind." - Terry 'Fat Tub of Goo' Forster
@Twitter as @brommmietze
So just the averages of everyone's projections then?
It didn’t really say either way… I’d love to see the highs and lows for each player… assuming everyone answered honestly and not just for fun… like the people who thing Sori will hit 55 homers this year, and the people who think he’ll only get 50 AB’s before a body part falls off… it’d be interesting (to me at least) to see the range fans are thinking.
Did I miss ...
the community projection post for Fontenot?
One has not been made
According to the search bar
One could argue that he isn’t a lock to make the team but then why would you do projections for Blanco…
Maybe Al, excuse me Al Yellon knows Fontenot is going to be traded/cut and isn’t allowed to tell us?
"Baseball is almost the only orderly thing in a very unorderly world. If you get three strikes, even the best lawyer in the world can't get you off." ~ Bill Veeck
No but Al did Blanco andhe is probably more on the bubble than Fuld
Since it is not clear Nady will even make Opening Day a bench spot is probably Fuld’s to lose. Blanco faces tougher odds because of Tracy & Millar. In the game of musical bench spots it appears to be Tracy, Blanco, Millar & Fontenot for two spots.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Mar 3, 2010 3:13 PM CST up reply actions
Totally agree
My money is on Millar and Blanco — though I’m not sure that’s for the best.
Tracy & Millar
are battling for one spot, utility outfielder/first-base. My guess would be the battle for the last roster spot is down to Fuld, Fontenot, and Blanco assuming Nady is healthy. Do we really need a 5th outfielder? It would be smart to have at least someone on the roster who plays SS other than Ryan Theriot. I’m hoping Fontenot gets traded.
Disagree
Millar and Tracy are not outfielders. In a pinch maybe, but I can’t see them there UNLESS Nady is out at the start of the season. I am pretty sure the Cubs are aware they need a defensive outfielder on the bench.I think barring injury or Colvin hitting a home run in every at bat Fuld is "safe". I still believe it is Blanco, Millar, Tracy & Fontenot for two spots.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Mar 4, 2010 11:01 AM CST up reply actions
I said
outfielder/first base… I guess it is a stretch to play either out there, but Lou might just be crazy enough to do so. Tracy’s ability to play 3rd should be a factor. I don’t think Millar makes the team. If it comes down to Blacno & Fontenot it depends on your preference, offense or defense.
I still don’t believe Fuld is a lock. Seeing how we have Byrd starting in CF and Fukudome being able to play there as well. For all we know, Lou could choose Hoffpauir on the roster as well if he has a good spring.
and who do you want in LF in the 9th with a one run lead?
Let’s hope Lou is not THAT crazy, though he sure could be.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Mar 4, 2010 11:47 AM CST up reply actions
For defensive purposes,
I guess I’d want Fuld out there. But if Soriano is actually healthy and can run, his arm becomes a weapon again, and I’d like to have someone out there capable of throwing out runners at the plate. Nady would be another option, but no one knows if he can still throw.
I guess my point is, how much playing time does a 5th outfielder actually get? Look at Joey Gathright last season, the guy barely played. I don’t see Lou using Fuld as much as some think.
Actually I think Lou likes Fuld which I personally find scary
I think he wants him in there for both defense and as a pinch runner. Fuld’s arm is better than Soriano’s and Soriano’s fielding even when healthy is sub standard. In many ways Fuld is more of a
traditional IF bench player than OF bench player since he lacks power. I still think he is “safe” barring
a nice wall smackdown.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Mar 4, 2010 2:37 PM CST up reply actions
I do like Fuld,
I hope he does make the team, great fielder, but no way his arm is better than Soriano’s.
Maybe Al is holding off in case he is traded?
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Mar 3, 2010 12:23 PM CST up reply actions
An obvious oversight...
The little guy turned things around for the Cubs at mid-season in ‘07, then established himself as a steady presence off the bench all through two half-pennant years. So what if he couldn’t be an everyday performer in the wake of the DeRosa trade or as a long-term fill-in for A-Ram? Long before the events of last season, Fontenot had proven his value in ways that Blanco and Fuld have yet to do. I say keep him coming off the bench unless Castro makes the team and Theriot shifts to second. Then, and only then, should he be traded.
"C'mon Freeman, throw the ball somewhere!" Brickhouse, incensed, 5/15/58
"Welcome to Wrigley Field, Mr. Bah-oo-tah!" Brickhouse, rubbing it in, 7/6/60
whoa, whoa, whoa
What do you mean Fontenot “turned things around for the Cubs” in 2007? He had a decent few weeks, but was sent back to Iowa (unless my memory is faulty) in July or August.
Sure, he had a good 2008. But as for “so what if he couldn’t be an everyday performer,” I’d point to the better options the Cubs have for filling out the bench. Blanco is a true SS and Tracy and Millar both, arguably, bring more to the table. If ANY of those three outperform Fontenot in ST, and the Cubs can TRADE Fontenot, they should do it.
There are plenty of scenarios other than Castro’s emergence which SHOULD lead to a Fontenot trade.
IIRC, Fontenot was recalled from Iowa twice in May 2007...
It was after that second call-up that he played his way into the lineup and hit .400 with some power over a 2-3 week period. Not coincidentally, his call-up came at the same time that Theriot replaced Izturis as a starter and Marmol became our setup man. These events, along with Lou’s Tirade, marked the start of that year’s turnaround.
"C'mon Freeman, throw the ball somewhere!" Brickhouse, incensed, 5/15/58
"Welcome to Wrigley Field, Mr. Bah-oo-tah!" Brickhouse, rubbing it in, 7/6/60
Oh, come on ...
Fontenot had a very good June in 2007. But I’d say Jacque Jones’ second half (and move to center) was far more important than a good few weeks from Fontenot. I haven’t been able to find Fontenot’s transaction history, but I think he was sent back down in August, maybe even July.
Anyway, it’s amazing to me that you want to make Fontenot all but untradable because he had a good month in 2007! I noticed you didn’t address why Fontenot would categorically be more valuable than Blanco, Tracy AND Millar.
Blanco looked great at short in the few games he played last year,
but I have to wonder why Lou didn’t give him more of a shot after September 1st, especially since his numbers at Iowa were very good. Also, why didn’t the Royals keep him? But, as you say, he’s a natural shortstop, so even if he hits below .240 with no pop batting right handed he may be as valuable as Fontenot hitting .285 left-handed with power.
Tracy’s also an interesting subject. Like Baker, I imagine he sees himself as an everyday player which, as we know, is usually the wrong outlook for somebody expected to play off the bench.
Millar’s 38, and he’s no Jim Edmonds.
By no means do I think Fontenot is untouchable, but as a bench player he’s a proven commodity both at bat and in the field at second or third. I believe his poor season last year resulted from his ill-defined role. Pushing him off the bench to make space for any of the three players you named, or for Sam Fuld, likely would be a small but significant mistake.
"C'mon Freeman, throw the ball somewhere!" Brickhouse, incensed, 5/15/58
"Welcome to Wrigley Field, Mr. Bah-oo-tah!" Brickhouse, rubbing it in, 7/6/60
I disagree, pretty much across the board
Tracy can’t think he’s a starter at this point. If he did, he wouldn’t have signed with the Cubs knowing he might not even make the team. Millar doesn’t have to be Edmonds — but I agree that he has to show a LOT at the plate in ST to justify a spot on the team. I agree with you on Blanco.
As for Fontenot being untouchable, here’s what you said initially:
“I say keep him coming off the bench unless Castro makes the team and Theriot shifts to second. Then, and only then, should he be traded.”
Maybe I’m being too specific about your words. My point is that Fontenot should be guaranteed (or guaranteed with a Castro caveat) NOTHING. He had a terrible season, he’s knocking on 30, he doesn’t perform very well when asked to be flexible — so say defenders of his bad hitting last year — he has no more than “sneaky power” and little speed.
Fontenot needs to have a good spring at the plate. If not, time to move on.
You know, I think I did get a Fontenot link from SWL.
If I can find it, I’ll try to post it in the next few days.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
You do realize
Blanco is a switch hitter? And he is a better left-handed hitter than right… He may not have the pop Fontenot has, but he can bunt, which very FEW guys on our team do well, or at all. He also plays superb defense at SS and 2B. That alone provides more value for this team. Fontenot had plenty of chances to prove himself.
Thanks for pointing that out...
If Castro’s not ready, I wouldn’t mind seeing Blanco take on the Rafael Santana role as a starter, as the Cubs run through the league like the ’86 Mets.
"C'mon Freeman, throw the ball somewhere!" Brickhouse, incensed, 5/15/58
"Welcome to Wrigley Field, Mr. Bah-oo-tah!" Brickhouse, rubbing it in, 7/6/60
I could live with that.
OT: on the old NES game, RBI Baseball (1987) Rafael Santana was one of the worst hitters in the game, not counting pitchers, and was on the All-Star team.
Where's the category for number of times crashed into a wall?
Some men learn through what they read. Some men learn through what they're told. Some men have to piss on the railroad tracks. And some men keep on pissin'.
or fences?
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Mar 3, 2010 9:56 PM CST up reply actions
Or fences.
Some men learn through what they read. Some men learn through what they're told. Some men have to piss on the railroad tracks. And some men keep on pissin'.
said it once... i'll say it again
Until I watch him fall flat on his face, I’d give him the chance to do so rather than pay Marlon Byrd to be mediocre at best.
He fields, he runs, he gets on base and he’s left-handed. He’s everything the Cubs lineup needs and they’ll let him rot on the bench or in AAA. It’s ridiculous. This should be so simple even a caveman could get it. * sorry for the gimmick infringement, Geico *
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