Michael Brent Cuddyer ( ; born on March 27, 1979 in Norfolk, Virginia) is a Major League Baseball player. He is currently the starting right fielder for the Minnesota Twins. He bats and throws right-handed and wears number 5.
Cuddyer is a 1997 graduate of Great Bridge High School in Chesapeake, Virginia, where he was a standout athlete in baseball, basketball, and football. Cuddyer was named Virginia's Player of the Year and Gatorade National baseball Player of the Year in 1997. He was also a member of USA Today's All-Star and the USA Junior National teams in 1997. He did not attend college.
Cuddyer made his Major League Baseball debut on September 18, for the Twins. Prior to , Cuddyer saw little playing time except as an occasional fill-in in the outfield. During 2004, Cuddyer made the transition to the infield, playing second and third bases. After the departure of veteran Twins third baseman Corey Koskie to the Toronto Blue Jays by way of free agency in , Cuddyer became the Twins' starting third baseman. He struggled at third base and was relegated to a reserve role for much of 2005.
Cuddyer underwent surgery to repair a tear in his right lateral meniscus in October 2005. The Twins then extended his contract on January 21, , giving him a one-year deal worth $1.3 million. After beginning the 2006 season on the bench, Cuddyer emerged as a regular in right field and in the cleanup spot of the Twins batting order. He is known for his home run power, and only Justin Morneau had more RBI for the Twins in 2006. In right field, he has above average throwing power and accuracy.
Cuddyer is well-known as a magician in the clubhouse, often pulling out cards or stabbing himself in the foot to get a few laughs out of his teammates. He married Claudia Rente, a Portuguese-American English teacher from Chesapeake, on November 11, 2006.
