SURPRISE, Ariz. – Almost since the day he walked into the Texas Rangers' clubhouse, the comparisons have followed David Murphy.

He hits and throws left-handed. Questions about his ability to hit for power suggest he might be just short of being your prototypical corner outfielder. He's quick, but maybe his range is above average for the corners and just on the fringes to be a regular center fielder in Arlington. And he plays the game extremely hard.

Sound like someone you know? Like maybe somebody red-headed?

Why mess around with what others think? Just ask Rusty Greer himself.

"I think he's going to be better than I was," said Greer, who spent the weekend as a guest instructor at Rangers camp, giving him a lot of time to talk with Murphy in the outfield. "I think there are similarities in style, but the tools I didn't have, I think he's got."

For the Rangers, that is sweet talk indeed. They weren't sure what they were getting when Murphy was included in the trade that sent Eric Gagne to Boston last July.

At 25 – the same age at which Greer made his major league debut – Murphy was blocked by the big contracts of Manny Ramirez and J.D. Drew at Boston's corner outfield spots.

The Rangers were getting an elite teenage prospect (Engel Beltre), a guy who could move immediately into the starting rotation (Kason Gabbard) and Murphy, whatever he was.

A torrid two-month audition with the Rangers that included a .340 batting average along with assorted leaping and diving catches had the club rethinking Murphy's abilities.

Because of his strong performance in 2007, Murphy arrived at camp in much the same position as Greer in 1995. He is pretty much assured of a spot, but not a role.

Greer split time between right and left field in 1995. Murphy could be doing the same, with a dash of center mixed in. Even if all the Rangers' outfielders are healthy, Murphy could get 100 starts this season. Greer got 107 starts in the outfield in his first full season.

G.J. MCCARTHY / DMN

Texas Rangers outfielder David Murphy (left) discusses bunting with manager Ron Washington.

"I've heard some of the comparisons," said Murphy, who started in right and went 1-for-2 with an RBI single in the Rangers' 8-7 win over Kansas City on Sunday. "I love that, because of the way he played. In my mind, the way Rusty played the game is the way it should be played.

"When I think of myself as a player, I still don't know my role. I think I can play in the majors, but I'm not sure what my role will be."

Greer had those same thoughts when he was in the same position, so he wasn't surprised to hear Murphy say it.

They spoke about that while hanging around the outfield for three days. Greer passed on advice he didn't get when he was in Murphy's position.

"I was so ingrained in being an on-base, doubles guy that I didn't try to hit home runs, but if I had learned how to do it earlier, I think I could have hit some more," Greer said. "He's got the power to pull the ball some more. I didn't tell him to be a pull hitter, but he shouldn't ignore a tool – his power – because he's got it."

One trait Greer had that those who knew him said was essential to setting him apart was drive. Or, pick a word: desire, passion, grit.

"Rusty was an overachiever," said former Rangers manager Jerry Narron, who spent his first day in camp as a club consultant. "Rusty didn't have the most athletic ability, but he got the most out of everything he had. If [Murphy] wants to be Rusty Greer, he's going to have to play hard each and every day."

Greer's thought on that: "My gut tells me he has the willingness to go as hard as he can for 162 games every year. He has a strong desire. I think of everything I like about him, I like his attitude most."

Showing no fear: The Rangers have touted RHP Kazuo Fukumori's fearlessness since they signed him. Fukumori demonstrated that trait Sunday by pitching around three errors in two innings to keep the Rangers in the game.

In the sixth, with the bases loaded, two outs and the score tied, 5-5, he struck out Billy Butler with a split-finger fastball.

"I've been asked about his performance in pressure situations," manager Ron Washington said. "That's pitching under pressure. We made it difficult on him, and he kept us in the game."

Briefly: RHPs Brandon McCarthy, Kevin Millwood and Joaquin Benoit all threw in bullpen sessions without issue Sunday. The tentative plans: McCarthy will throw again Tuesday, then pitch in Friday's exhibition against Milwaukee; Millwood will pitch two innings of a simulated game Wednesday, then test his sore right hamstring with a round of fielding practice; Benoit will throw again Tuesday or Wednesday, but there is no target date for him to face hitters. ... RHP Wes Littleton was given permission to attend to a family illness.