Sam Fuld named new Phillies GM – MLB.com

PHILADELPHIA — Sam Fuld’s post-playing career seemed to be on an upward trajectory the moment he joined the Phillies in 2017. He took another step forward on Tuesday.
The Phillies announced that Fuld will be their next general manager. Fuld, 39, will work under president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski,

PHILADELPHIA — Sam Fuld’s post-playing career seemed to be on an upward trajectory the moment he joined the Phillies in 2017. He took another step forward on Tuesday.

The Phillies announced that Fuld will be their next general manager. Fuld, 39, will work under president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski, who will be the leading force and ultimate decision maker in Philadelphia’s baseball operations department. But Fuld’s promotion as Dombrowski’s top lieutenant confirms his rising-star status in the minds of top Phillies officials.

Fuld spent parts of eight seasons with the Rays, Cubs, A’s and Twins as a player from 2007-15. He joined the Phillies as their Major League player information coordinator two years later, essentially integrating analytics into game-planning while serving as former manager Gabe Kapler’s outfield instructor. Fuld became the Phillies’ director of integrative baseball performance in January; the department focuses on sports science.

Phillies’ GM once made a catch for the ages

Fuld has been a hot commodity on the job market the past few offseasons. He was a finalist for the recent Red Sox managerial vacancy, which went to Alex Cora, and the Stanford graduate previously interviewed or turned down other opportunities for managerial vacancies. Fuld’s resume as a former player who buys into analytics has made him attractive to front offices across baseball.

The Phillies also promoted Jorge Velandia to assistant general manager and Terry Ryan to special assistant to the GM. Velandia has served in various roles in the front office over the past decade. Ryan is the longtime former Twins general manager who has served as a special assignment scout for the Phillies since Nov. 2016.

Todd Zolecki has covered the Phillies since 2003, and for MLB.com since 2009. Follow him on Twitter and Facebook .