AB 510
AVG .202
OBP .26
SLG .376
HR 21
  • Full name Taylor Hill Teagarden
  • Born 12/21/1983 in Dallas, TX
  • Profile Ht.: 6'0" / Wt.: 210 / Bats: R / Throws: R
  • School Texas
  • Debut 07/18/2008
  • Drafted in the 3rd round (99th overall) by the Texas Rangers in 2005 (signed for $725,000).
    View Draft Report
    The best defensive catcher in the draft, Teagarden has exceptional skills behind the plate. "He's as good a catch-and-throw guy as I've seen since Joe Mauer," one scout said. Teagarden also earns high marks for his ability to block balls in the dirt, call games and manage a pitching staff. The consensus is that he could handle defensive responsibilities in the majors right now. The question with Teagarden always has been how much he'll produce at the plate, and he picked up the tag of a light-hitting catcher in high school. His proponents say that's not fair and believe he can bat .275 with 15 homers in the big leagues. Texas' Disch-Falk Stadium is a bad hitter's park where balls die in the gaps, and Teagarden has just three homers this spring. He also has 17 doubles and borderline average power, including to the opposite field. Southern California's Jeff Clement is the best-hitting college catcher in this year's draft crop, and Teagarden outhit (.309 to .275) and outslugged him (.473 to .435) with wood bats on Team USA last summer. He has a discriminating eye at the plate, ranking among the NCAA Division I leaders with 38 walks this spring. Teagarden has Scott Boras as his adviser, which could cause him to slide out of the first round if teams worry about his signability.

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  • Rated Best Defensive Catcher in the Texas Rangers in 2009
  • Rated Best Defensive Catcher in the Pacific Coast League in 2008
  • Rated Best Defensive Catcher in the Texas League in 2008
  • Rated Best Defensive Catcher in the Texas Rangers in 2008
  • Rated Best Defensive Catcher in the Texas Rangers in 2007
  • Rated Best Defensive Catcher in the Texas Rangers in 2006

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