He made his American debut in 2007 with the Single-A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers but was demoted to the Everett Aquasox in June when the Short-Season A season began.

Sams opened 2009 with the Single-A Clinton LumberKings and played 4 games with Everett before his season ended in late June.

In 2012, Sams was promoted to the Double-A Jackson Generals, where in 72 games he hit .242 with 11 home runs and 35 RBI.

[3] Sams was away from the Mariners for much of spring training due to his participation in the 2013 World Baseball Classic.

[7] After hitting 10 home runs in 26 games, Sams was promoted in June to the Triple-A Tucson Padres, the highest level of affiliated baseball he would reach.

[3] On 3 August 2013, Sams signed with the Camden Riversharks of the Atlantic League, where he played in five games, hitting .667 with 3 home runs and 9 RBI.

He also played for Neptunus in the Hoofdklasse's postseason[11] then for Algodoneros de Guasave in the Mexican Pacific Winter League.

[15] He batted .279/.374/.534 with 16 home runs, 65 RBI, and 32 stolen bases in 61 games and was named the team's most valuable player.

[3] On 24 February 2016, Sams signed with the Delfines de Ciudad del Carmen of the Mexican League.

[10] After his Mexican League release, Sams returned to Canada, re-signing with the Québec Capitales.

In 2018 for Québec, Sams batted .311/.391/.500 with 11 home runs and 48 RBI, and appeared in three games for Amsterdam.

On 19 August 2019, Sams signed with the Amsterdam Pirates of the Honkbal Hoofdklasse, and played in 1 game for the club, going hitless in 2 plate appearances.

[18] After his retirement, Sams developed an autobiographical theatre show called "The Devil's Home Run.