Tommy Field

TOMMY FIELD
SHORTSTOP
Born: February 22, 1987
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 185
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Drafted: 24th Round, 737th Overall, 2008 (Rockies)
How Acquired: Waiver claim (from Angels)
College: Texas State University
Agents: Select Sports Group

WTM’S PIRATE PLAYER PROFILES

Field is the unusual late-round draft pick who made it to the majors, albeit very briefly so far.  He was drafted as a strong defensive player, with good range and hands, and enough arm to stay at short.  He also runs well.  Field has hit well more often than not in the minors, but generally in strong hitting environments.  The fact that he’s already been waived three times indicates that teams don’t really believe in his bat.

2008
A-:  247/403/396, 182 AB, 8 2B, 2 3B, 5 HR, 42 BB, 34 K, 10-16 SB

Field played short and hit well enough in his debut.  He drew a huge number of walks.

2009
A:  257/335/332, 304 AB, 17 2B, 2 HR, 26 BB, 58 K, 8-11 SB

Field didn’t have as easy a time of it in full-season ball.  He also missed some time with injuries.  He spent a third of his time at second and the rest at short.

2010
A+:  284/397/466, 440 AB, 21 2B, 7 3B, 15 HR, 66 BB, 114 K, 16-21 SB

Field played short every day and had a big season at the plate.  The numbers have to be taken with a grain of salt, though, because he was in the California League.  Baseball America ranked him the Rockies’ 29th best prospect after the season.

2011
AA:  271/357/439, 472 AB, 22 2B, 3 3B, 17 HR, 53 BB, 108 K, 9-13 SB
MLB:  271/314/271, 48 AB, 3 BB, 14 K

Field continued to hit well in AA, although he was probably helped by his home park, Tulsa, which boosts HRs.  He hit 11 of his 17 HRs there.  He played mostly second because a more highly regarded prospect, Hector Gomez, was at short.  The Rockies called Field up in the second week of September when Troy Tulowitzki and other infielders got hurt, and he was their primary shortstop the rest of the year.  BA rated him 27th in the Rockies’ system after the season.

2012
AAA:  246/315/400, 435 AB, 6 2B, 1 3B, 8 HR, 41 BB, 76 K, 4-4 SB
MLB:  000/333/000, 2 AB, 1 BB, 1 K

The Rockies moved Field back to short in AAA and hit respectably.  Again, though, he was playing in a very high offense environment at Colorado Springs in the Pacific Coast League.  The Rockies called him up for two games in July.  After the season, they placed him on waivers and the Twins claimed him.  Four weeks later the Twins put him on waivers and the Angels claimed him.

2013
AAA:  303/391/484, 314 AB, 20 2B, 2 3B, 11 HR, 44 BB, 68 K, 6-8 SB
MLB:  154/185/154, 26 AB, 1 BB, 7 K

The Angels employed Field as a utility infielder in AAA.  He hit very well there, once again in the PCL.  He also had three different stints in the majors, with limited playing time.

2014
AAA (LAA):  285/351/440, 302 AB, 18 2B, 4 3B, 7 HR, 28 BB, 63 K, 5-6 SB
AAA (Pgh):  297/400/324, 37 AB, 1 2B, 6 BB, 6 K

The Angels returned Field to AAA, again as a utility infielder.  He hit reasonably well, although not as well as 2013, but did not get a callup.  The Angels designated him for assignment a week into August and the Pirates claimed him.  Just two weeks later, the Pirates designated him for assignment when they claimed Bobby LaFromboise.  Field cleared waivers and was outrighted to AAA at the end of the year.  By then, he’d gotten into seven games at second and three at short with Indianapolis.

Field was one in a series of infield acquisitions for the Pirates as they struggled with injuries to Neil Walker and Clint Barmes, and with Pedro Alvarez’ problems.  They evidently weren’t satisfied with the available options they had in AAA, but in the end they called up Michael Martinez and Brent Morel, who were already on the team, and signed Jayson Nix.  Field will be eligible for minor league free agency in the off-season.

STATS
Baseball Reference–Majors
Baseball Reference–Minors
Fangraphs
MLB.com
MiLB.com
CONTRACT INFORMATION
2014: Major league minimum
PLAYER INFORMATION
Signing Bonus: $48,000
MiLB Debut: 2008
MLB Debut: 9/11/2011
MiLB FA Eligible: Eligible
MLB FA Eligible: 2020
Rule 5 Eligible: Eligible
Added to 40-Man: September 11, 2011
Options Remaining: 0 (USED:  2012, 2013, 2014)
MLB Service Time: 0.070
TRANSACTIONS
June 5, 2008: Drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the 24th round, 737th overall pick; signed on June 11.
September 11, 2011: Contract purchased by the Colorado Rockies.
November 2, 2012: Claimed off waivers by the Minnesota Twins from the Colorado Rockies.
November 28, 2012: Claimed off waivers by the Los Angeles Angels from the Minnesota Twins.
August 7, 2014: Designated for assignment by the Los Angeles Angels.
August 10, 2014: Claimed off waivers by the Pittsburgh Pirates from the Los Angeles Angels.
August 24, 2014: Designated for assignment by the Pittsburgh Pirates; outrighted to AAA on August 29.