SB Nation - Taylor Teagarden

Rangers shopping for a catcher

Adam J. Morris — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 02:05:51 -0000

According to Evan Grant, the Rangers are looking for a catcher who could possibly take on the bulk of the catching duties, should Jarrod Saltalamacchia not be ready to go to start the 2010 season.

This seems to suggest that the Rangers don't see Taylor Teagarden as anything other than a backup option.

Grant says that the guys the Rangers are looking at include Jason Kendall, Rod Barajas, and Brad Ausmus.

The offseason just keeps getting better and better...

Arizona Fall League: Jose Tabata Goes 6-for-7, Posey Drives in 4

raygu — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:30:11 -0000

by Chris Carlson - AP

2 months ago: San Francisco Giants' Buster Posey gets his first major league hit against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the ninth inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2009. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

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The Arizona Fall League regular season came to a close on Thursday. Highlighting the day was the Pirates outfield prospect Jose Tabata going 6 for 7 with 4 runs scored and 3 RBI. Quite a day for a prospect I just traded for in the UBA league. I am just curious if he will make it to Pittsburgh in 2010.

Here is what ESPN's Keith Law had to say when I asked this question in a recent chat:

rayg (burlington, nj)
Will Tabata take over RF in Pitt over Garrett Jones in 2010?

Klaw (2:03 PM)

No. I think that's a year early.

I am not so sure since the Pirates could move Jones to 1B should he duplicate his 2009 season. But, Tabata is not your typical corner outfielder either, as he has not show much power in his minor league career. He is only 22 so the power could develop, but we've heard that about James Loney in the past, haven't we?

Let's take a look at the top performances on the last day of the AFL after the jump:

Jose Tabata-6-7, 4 RS, 2 2B, 3 RBI (.392)

Chase D'arnaud-2-4, 4 RS, 2 SB (13), 3 BB, 2 K (.292)

Brandon Allen-2-5, 2 RS, RBI, SB, 2 BB, 2 K (.177)

Thomas Neal 2-5, 2 RS, 2 SB (12), RBI, (.284)

Buster Posey-2-4, 4 RBI (.225)

Wilin Rosario-2-5, 5 RBI (.304)

Dustin Ackley 2-5, RS (.315)

Jordan Danks-2-4, 3 RS, HR, 3 RBI (.343)

Brent Morel-3-4, 2 RS, 3 RBI (.435)

Andrew Lambo-2-5, 2B, 2 RBI (.330)

Danny Espinosa-0-2 (.345)

Josh Bell-1-3, RS, 2B, RBI (.319)

Chris Marrero-2-4, 2B, RBI (.349)

Marcus Lemon-2-5, RS, HR, RBI (.343)

Reese Havens-3-4, 2 RS, HR, 2 RBI (.368)

Ike Davis-2-4, RS (.341)

Taylor Teagarden-1-4, RS, HR, 3 RBI (.212)

Mike Moustakas-1-4 (.267)

Daryl Jones-1-3, RS, 2B (.205)

Lance Zawadzki-3-5, 3 RS, 2B, HR, 3 RBI (.324)

Matt McBride-2-4, RS, RBI, SB, BB (.378)

Yonder Alonso-1-5, RS, 2B, 2 RBI (.267)

Brandon Hicks-3-5, 2B, RBI (.310)

Bryan Peterson-0-3 (.379)

Starlin Castro-0-3 (.376)

Josh Vitter-1-4 (.353)

Mike Leake-4 Inn, 2 H, 4 K (1.37)

Craig Kimbrel-1 Inn, 2 BB, 3 K (10.45)

Andrew Miller-4 Inn, 3 H. 1 ER, 3 K (5.28)

Arizona Fall League: Wednesday's Roundup and Sickels Top 20 Nationals

raygu — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:15:13 -0000

The Arizona Fall League is close to wrapping up its season, just in time for the hot stove to get started once the free agent signing period begins on Friday.

John Sickels from SBNation's Minor League Ball prospect site (www.minorleagueball.com) is working on the Top 20 prospects in each organization. Before taking a look at yesterday's performances, be sure to check out John Sickel's Top 20 Washington Nationals, as you will see a few guys we have talked about here at FakeTeams in our AFL Roundups.

Let's take a look at the top performances from Wednesday's action after the jump:

Marcus Lemon-3-6, RS, HR, RBI (.339)

Reese Havens-3-5, 3 RS, BB, K (.324)

Taylor Teagarden-3-5, 3 RS, 2 RBI (.208)

Brandon Hick-2-3, 4 RS, 2 RBI, 2 SB, 2 BB (.293)

Matt McBride-2-4, 2 RBI (.371)

Yonder Alonso-2-4, 3 RBI, 2 K (.272)

Dustin Ackley-0-3, (.309)

Jordan Danks-3-5, 2 RS (.337)

Andrew Lambo-2-5, RBI (.326)

Jonathan Lucroy-1-4, BB, K (.310)

Danny Espinosa, SS, WAS-3-3, 2 RS, RBI, BB (.353)

Corey Brown-3-4, RS, 2 RBI (.333)

Chirs Marrero-2-5, 2 RBI (.342)

Grant Desme-0-5, 4 K (.315)

Josh Bell-1-4, RS (.318)

Bryan Peterson-1-4, BB (.391)

Starlin Castro-2-5, RS (.388)

Domonic Brown-0-5, 2 K (.229)

Jose Tabata-2-3, 2 RS, 2 BB (.363)

Brandon Allen-2-5, RS, 3B, SB (.167)

Chase D'arnaud-2-5, RBI, SB (11) (.286)

Arizona Fall League: Monday's Roundup

raygu — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:00:13 -0000

The AFL was back in action and the Nationals Danny Espinosa helped Phoenix win the East division title by driving in four runs on Monday.

If you have an ESPN Insider subscription, check out Jason Grey's article from Monday. Here is Grey on the Giant's prospect Thomas Neal:

Thomas Neal, San Francisco Giants: Was Neal's breakout season (.337, 22 homers, 1.010 OPS) in the hitting-friendly Cal League legit? I think it's possible, especially when I heard that his swing wasn't necessarily all the way back in 2008 after major shoulder surgery. I saw him during the year as well, and I've seen an improved approach at the plate. He's willing to go the other way, and his raw power allows him to hit the ball out to any field. Let's see how he does at Double-A. It's worth noting that Neal is playing some first base here as well.

You might also want to check out www.projectprospect.com as they are going through their top 15 prospects at each position, and have recently posted interviews with Domonic Brown and Buster Posey, with a few more on the way.

Let's take a look at how the top prospects performed after the jump:

Danny Espinosa, SS, WAS-3-4, RS, 3B, 4 RBI (.329)

Josh Bell, 3B, BAL-2-4, RS, 2B, HR, 3 RBI, BB, 2 K (.329)

Grant Desme, OF, OAK 0-3, RS, 2 BB, 3 K (.333)

Jemile Weeks, 2B, OAK-1-5, RS, 3B (.247)

Bryan Peterson, OF, FLA-0-5, RS (.398)

Starlin Castro, SS, CHC-1-4 (.382)

Casey Kelly, SS, BOS-0-4, 2 K (.212)

Ryan Kalish, OF, BOS-1-4, 2B (.303)

Chase D'arnaud, 2B, PITT-1-4, SB (9) (.284)

Thomas Neal, OF, SFG-1-2, BB, SB (10) (.277)

Domonic Brown, OF, PHI-0-2, BB, K (.250)

Brandon Allen, 1B, ARI-0-3 (.160)

Jose Tabata, OF, PITT-0-4 (.343)

Buster Posey, C, SFG 0-3 (.209)

Lance Zawadzki, SS, SDG-2-5, 2 RS, 2 RBI, SB (8), (.300)

Chris Heisey, OF, CIN-0-5, 3 K (.287)

Yonder Alonso, 1B, CIN-0-2, 3 BB, K (.270)

Matt McBride, C, CLE-3-4, RS, 2B, 2 RBI (.369)

Trayvon Robinson, OF, LAD01-4, RS, BB, 2 K (.243)

Dustin Ackley, OF, SEA-0-2, RS, 2 BB (.288)

Andrew Lambo, OF, LAD-1-4,. RS, K (.321)

Brandon Laird, 3B, NYY-3-3, RS, 2B, 2 BB (.337)

Ike Davis, 1B, NYM-2-4, 2 RBI, BB, K (.329)

Taylor Teagarden, C, TEX- 1-5, RBI, 3 K (.163)

Michael Dunn, RP, NYY-1 Inn, 2 H, 2 ER, BB, 4 K (3.86)

Arizona Fall League: Friday's Roundup

raygu — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 14:00:30 -0000

Here's a look at the AFL action from Friday. Be sure to take a look at MLB Fantasy Prospects site over at www.mlbfantasyprospects.com. They are currently going through their top 25 MLB prospects for fantasy/roto leagues.

Taylor Teagarden, C, TEX-0-5, 4 K (.158)

Daryl Jones, OF, STL-0-4, RS, 2 K (.188)

Brandon Laird, 1B, NYY-1-5, RS, RBI (.313)

Dustin Ackley, OF, SEA-1-3, RS, HR, RBI, 2 BB (.302)

Jordan Danks, OF, CHW-1-5 (.321)

Andrew Lambo, OF, LAD-0-4 (.325)

Carlos Triunfel, 2B, SEA-1-4 (.206)

Tanner Scheppers, SP, TEX, 1 Inn, 4 H, 4 ER, 2 BB (6.30)

Brandon Hicks, SS, ATL-0-3, BB, 3 K (.278)

Chase D'arnaud, 2b, PIT-3-4, RS, 2 RBI, 2 SB (8) (.286)

Bryan Peterson, OF, FLA-3-4, 2 RS, 2 3B, RBI, SB (.422)

Ryan Kalish, OF, BOS-2-3, 2 RS, SB (.306)

Jemile Weeks, 2B, OAK-1-3, 2 RS, HR, 3 RBI, BB (.264)

Danny Espinosa, SS, WA-1-3, RS, 2 BB (.308)

Grant Desme, OF, OAK-2-4, 2 RS, HR, 2 RBI (.355)

Josh Bell, 3B, BAL-1-4, RS, RBI (.319)

Jose Tabata, OF, PIT-1-4, RS (.356)

Domonic Brown, OF, PHI (0-4, 2 K (.265)

Buster Posey, C, SFG-0-3, RS (.219)

Brandon Allen, 1B, ARI-0-3, RS (.161)

Thomas Neal, 1B, SFG -1-3, 2 RS, 2 RBI, BB (.271)

Arizona Fall League: Wednesday's Roundup

raygu — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:00:38 -0000

Getting back to the AFL action as the MLB trade rumors kept me busy yesterday. Let's take a look at Wednesday's action in Arizona:

Trayvon Robinson, OF, LAD-1-4, RS, BB. K, 2 SB (.273)

Andrew Lambo, OF, LAD-2-4, 3 RS, 3 RBI, BB, K (.353)

Casper Wells, OF-2-4, 4 RBI (.362)

Chris Heisey,OF, CIN-0-3, SB, BB, K (.320)

Yonder Alonso, 1B, CIN 0-3, BB, 2 K (.273)

Brandon Laird, 3B, NYY-2-5, 2 RS, HR, 2 RBI (.321)

Ike Davis, 1B, NYM- 2-4, RS, HR, 4 RBI (.348)

Taylor Teagarden, C, TEX-0-5, 2 K (.182)

Daryl Jones, OF, STL-1-3, 22, 2 K (.194)

David Cooper, 1B, TOR-3-4, RS, 2B (.294)

Ryan Kalish, 1B, BOS-2-4, 2 RS, HR, 3 RBI (.291)

Josh Vitters, 3B, CHC-2-5, RS, RBI (.364)

Jose Iglesias, SS, -4-4, 2 RS, SB, RBI (.269)

Ian Kennedy, SP, NYY-4.1 Inn, 7 H, 4 ER, 4 K (4.74)

Andrew Cashner, SP, CHC-3 Inn, 7 H, 4 ER, 5 K (4.32)

Nevin Ashley, C, TB-3-5, 3 RS, 2B, 2 3B, RBI (.400)

Danny Espinosa, SS, WAS-1-5, HR, 2 RBI (.306)

Josh Bell, 3B, BAL-2-5, 2B, RBI (.317)

Jose Tabata, OF, PIT-2-4, RBI, BB (.355)

Domonic Brown, OF, PHI-2-4, 3B, 2 RBI (.266)

Brandon Allen, 1B, ARI-1-4, 2B, 3 K (.166)

Willin Rosario, C, COL-0-4, 3 K (.250)

Buster Posey,C, SFG-1-3, BB, K (.230)

Arizona Fall League: Matt McBride Homers, Aaron Crow Hit Hard Again

raygu — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:00:40 -0000

The AFL was back in action on Monday following a day off on Sunday. The Rising Stars game was very exciting for those who watched as the Indian's catching prospect Matt McBride hit a two-run homer off of Nationals pitching prospect Drew Storen.

Let's take a look at the performances from Monday's games:

Jose Tabata, OF, PIT-0-4, (.349)

Buster Posey, C, SFG-1-3, BB, K (.224)

Brandon Allen, 1B, ARI-1-4, K (.167)

Domonic Brown, OF, PHI-1-4, 2K (.256)

Thomas Neal, 1B, SFG-0-4, RBI, BB (.288)

Hector Gomez, SS, COL-2-3, RS, 2B, HR, RBI (.271)

Starlin Castro, SS, CHC-1-4, RS, SB (.414)

Bryan Peterson, OF, FLA-2-3, BB, RBI (.400)

Jay Buente, RP, FLA-2 Inn, 5 K (3.86)

Matt McBride, C, CLE-2-4, 2 RS, 3B, HR, RBI (.420)

Yonder Alonso, 1B, CIN-3-4, RS, RBI (.293)

Freddie Freeman, 1B, ATL-0-3, 2 K (.267)

Jonathan Gaston, OF, HOU-1-3, HR, 3 RBI (.226)

Ike Davis, 1B, NYM-2-4, RS, (.339)

Taylor Teagarden, C, TEX-0-3, BB, 2 K (.240)

Aaron Crow, SP, KC-4 Inn, 7 H, 4 ER, 4 K (7.94)

Stephenom! Washington Nationals' Stephen Strasburg Hits Triple Digits In Arizona.

Ed Chigliak — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:15:33 -0000

Strasburg LIVE in Surprise, Arizona...

At the end of a long strip mall, palm tree and box car lined stretch of Arizona asphalt, tucked away behind shopping centers, restaurants and car washes galore is the only lush green grass to be seen for miles around, on the field at Surprise Stadium in Surprise, Arizona. Stephen Strasburg made his fourth AFL start there Monday afternoon in front of 400-500 fans, scouts and even one MLB team President, or as one local fan described it to me, "More people than I've ever seen at one of these games." "Why are there so many people here?" a nearby fan asked as he overheard our conversation, "That's why," the local gentlemen said, pointing to the triple-digit speed readings flashing on the scoreboard, "People still get excited about seeing someone throw over 100 mph."

(cont.)...

Four of Stephen Strasburg's first 6 pitches hit triple digits, and in the first inning, Strasburg, who was ahead 3-0 before even taking the mound, topped out at 101 mph as he struck out leadoff batter, gave up a one-out single and then got a DP grounder to bring a scoreless first frame to a close. The crowd watched, oohed and aahed as Strasburg delivered one buzzing fastball after another, most of which were in the high '90's with a few dropping as low as 92.

Strasburg's heater hit a hundred twice in the second inning, once for strike three and a swinging K from Mets' IF/OF Nick Evans, who's already played 80 major league games, and again as he walked Rangers' catcher Taylor Teagarden, who has 76 MLB games under his belt. Another swinging K from the Kansas City Royals' top-rated prospect, (according to Baseball America), Mike Moustakas, was followed by a two-out single, and then a weak groundout as Strasburg retired the final batter of his second scoreless frame.

The Nationals' '09 No. 1 overall pick hit 100 just once in the third as he retired the Rafters' batters in order, but all but one of his fastballs came in at 98 or 99, and he remained in the high 90's as he retired three of the four batters he faced in the fourth with only Teagarden's two-out single disrupting Strasburg's flow. A leadoff double in the fifth by Yankees' first base prospect Brandon Laird was the only extra base hit Strasburg allowed, and he might have been held to a long single if Desert Dogs' left fielder Corey Brown hadn't made an ill-advised dive at the liner. Two groundouts later Laird scored the only run Strasburg surrendered, and he was still in the high-90's as his outing came to a close.

• Strasburg's Line: (W, 3-1), 5.28 ERA, 5.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 K's, 68 pitches, 43 strikes, 9 groundouts, 0 flyouts, 19 batters faced.

After Strasburg, the Nationals' pitching prospects filed out one after another, since, as I mentioned in the opening paragraph, Washington's team President, Stan Kasten, was in attendance to see how the Nationals' prospects were progressing. Brad Wilk...I mean, Josh Wilkie, threw a scoreless sixth, and Jeff Mandel pitched the eighth, surrendering a run on two hits after giving up a leadoff triple that scored on an RBI groundout, and then the Nationals' closer of the future Drew Storen, Washington's second 1st Round pick, pitched a 1-2-3 ninth which saw the former Stanford Cardinal closer dial his fastball up as high as 97 mph and mix in some brutal 83-89 mph benders and sliders as he retired the Rafters in order to end Strasburg's third win.

• Final Score - Desert Dogs 10, Rafters 2. - MLB.com GameDay (w/ Pitch FX!!)

Desert Dogs now 12-6.

(ed. note - "I'll be reporting LIVE from Phoenix Municipal Stadium for the next two days, but rather than set up a GameThread, I'll just put the comments in this post since all the Nationals' pitchers threw today and it'll be just the fielders (if they play) in the lineup tomorrow.")

Arizona Fall League: Moustakas Homers Twice

raygu — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 13:00:35 -0000

Royals third base prospect Mike Moustakas homered twice last night, giving him 3 in the AFL short season.

Let's check out how other top prospects performed last night in Arizona:

Lorenzo Cain, OF, MILW-1-3, RS, SB, CS

Andrew Lambo, OF, LAD-2-4, RS, RBI (,404 Avg)

Jonathon Lucroy, C, MILW-2-4,. RS, HR, 3 RBI (.385)

Dustin Ackley, OF, SEA-1-3, BB, 2 K (.296)

Danny Espinosa, SS, WAS-1-4, 2B, 2 K (.302)

Brandon Snyder, 1B, BAL-2-4, 2B, RBI (.353)

Grant Desme, OF, OAK-0-4, 2 K (.404)

Chris Marrero, 1B, WAS, 2-4, RS, HR, RBI (.362)

Matt Dominguez, 3B, FLA-1-4, RS, SB (.143)

Jose Tabata, OF, PIT-1-4, RS, 2B, (.304)

Domonic Brown, OF, PHI-0-4 (.250)

Brandon Allen, 1B, ARI-0-2, 2 BB, K (.190)

Buster Posey, C, SFG-2-4, 2 RS, HR, RBI (.233)

Daryl Jones, OF, STL-1-3, BB (.217)

Taylor Teagarden, C, TEX- 1-4, RS, 2 K (.125)

Mike Moustakas, 3B, KC-2-4, 2 RS, 2 HR, 4 RBI (.273)

Ike Davis, 1B, NYM-1-4, RS (.333)

Chris Heisey, OF, CIN-1-4, RS,, BB, SB

Yonder Alonso, 1B, CIN-3-5, RS, 3B (.268)

Matt McBride, C, CLE-2-3, 2 RS, 2 BB (.361)

Jonathon Gaston, HOU-2-5, 2 RS, 2 RBI (.262)

Ian Kennedy, SP, NYY-4 Inn, 4 H, 2 ER, 4 K

Taylor Teagarden heading to the AFL

Adam J. Morris — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 16:29:15 -0000

More photos » by Ted S. Warren - AP

2 months ago: Texas Rangers' Taylor Teagarden hits a go-ahead RBI single in the ninth inning of a MLB baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Friday, Oct. 2, 2009, at Safeco Field in Seattle. The Rangers beat the Mariners 7-4. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Browse more photos »

Richard Durrett writes that Taylor Teagarden is being sent by the Rangers to join the team's AFL contingent at Surprise.

I'd guess he'll be replacing catcher Doug Hogan, who the Rangers had included as part of their initial group.

But it leads one to wonder...is this just a concern that Teagarden didn't get enough at bats during the regular season while backing up Jarrod Saltalamacchia, and wanting to get him more time against live pitching in a game situation? Or could the Rangers be talking to a team that has an interest in Teagarden, and that wants to have a chance to scout him more this fall?