Angels’ Spring Training Battles: Second Base

The Dark Horse: Taylor Featherston

Taylor Featherston spent the entire 2014 season playing for the Colorado Rockies double-A affiliate in Tulsa, OK. The Angels acquired the 25-year-old infielder from the Chicago Cubs after he was selected in the rule 5 draft. Featherston is a relatively unknown commodity, but his skill set may turn a few heads this spring in Tempe. The TCU alum hit .260, with 16 home runs, 57 RBI’s, and 14 stolen bases over 497 at bats last season. Featherston has put together a career slash line of .276/.346/.457 across four seasons in the minor leagues.

Taylor Featherston has seen extensive time at second base, shortstop, and third base in the minor leagues. He is one of the better defenders among the candidates for the second base job. He has posted a career fielding percentage of .970, and a 4.90 range factor across 242 games at second base. While the .970 fielding percentage is not overly impressive, his 4.90 range factor is by far the best amongst his competitors.

FanGraphs does not expect Taylor Featherston to see any time in the Major Leagues this season, and thus have no steamer for him. Although he has never played above double-A during his career, Featherston does have a realistic shot at cracking the opening day roster. He possesses an intriguing combination of offense and defense, and has the most upside of anyone on the list. Featherston has the potential to surprise a few people this spring, and he should be fun to watch in Tempe.

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