A Look Back at the Royals Top 31 Prospects: #26 Everett Teaford

Coming in at number 26 on Baseball America‘s Top 31 Prospects for the Kansas City Royals heading into the 2012 season was left-handed pitcher Everett Teaford. For the second consecutive season, he bounced back-and-forth between the big leagues and Triple-A Omaha. However in 2012, he amassed enough innings to drop off the prospect list for the 2013 season (over 50 innings pitched).

September 05, 2012; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Everett Teaford (61) delivers a pitch during the first inning of the game against the Texas Rangers at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-US PRESSWIRE

Teaford made the Opening Day roster for the Royals, but was sent back to Triple-A at the end of April. There, he made seven appearances (six starts). He was 4-0 with a 1.09 ERA over 33 innings and opponents hit just .207 against him.

Teaford was called back up to the big leagues for good at the end of June. He wasn’t used a whole lot (he made just ten appearances over the final two months). He had a few bumps in the month of September, but also had a few good outings. On the first against Minnesota, he allowed just three hits over 5.1 scoreless innings of relief.

In a start against Texas four days later, he allowed three runs over 4.1 innings (the runs came on a homerun in the first inning). He only allowed three hits while striking out five.

Since being left unprotected for the 2009 Rule V draft, Teaford’s velocity has increased on his fastball. That has made his breaking ball and changeup even better. It doesn’t hurt that he throws from different arms slots.

Against left-handed hitters in the minors he dominated (a .174 average and nine strikeouts in 14.1 innings). He struggled a bit with lefties in the majors. In 21.1 innings, lefties hit .300 against him. He only struck out ten compared to nine walks. That’s a ratio that will NEED to change for him to stick in the big leagues.

BA gave him a low-risk factor in their rankings, meaning he has a certain big league future. Hopefully he can stick for a full season.