Player Profile: Mark Teahen

     The trouble with this time of year is that we’re caught in a minor state of limbo.  The White Sox have already finished their offseason shopping and we’re, pretty much, in a holding pattern until we reconvene in Glendale, AZ on February 20th.  The biggest headlines in the Chicago papers center around things like Carlos Quentin and Bobby Jenks being in the best shape of their lives and the ineptitude of the New York Mets’ team doctors.  So, rather than just make up some news (although that would be fun, wouldn’t it?) I’m just going to continue introducing our starting lineup and bring you your next up close and personal look at another player.  Ready to play his first season on the South Side….I present to you….staright from Kansas City….our new third baseman….Mark Teahen!

Mark Teahen, 3B

The Basics

How He Got Here

     Mark “Big Tractor” Teahen was originally drafted 39th overall in 2002 by the Oakland A’s, a local boy out of St. Mary’s College.  He toiled around in the minors for 2 years and was ready for a promotion from Triple-A when he suddenly became expendable as the A’s signed incumbent third baseman, Eric Chavez, to a long term deal.  Consequently, the A’s dealt Teahen, along with pitcher Mike Wood, in a 3 team trade that sent him and Wood to the Royals, Carlos Beltran from the Royals to the Astros, Octavio Dotel from the Astros to the A’s and John Buck from the Astros to the Royals.  Clear as mud?  I’m sure.

     In any event, Teahen made the Royals opening day roster in 2005 and was their starting third basemen for the next 2 years.  But in 2007, when the Royals brought in uber-prospect Alex Gordon, Teahen was shifted to the outfield to make room at the hot corner.  Teahen spent all of ‘07 and ‘08 in the outfield and in 2009, was tried out at second to see if there was a fit.  There wasn’t.  So on Novemener 5, 2009, Teahen was traded to the White Sox in exchange for 2B Chris Getz and 3B Josh Fields and upon his arrival, signed a 3 year, $14M contract.  He is now the starting third baseman on the South Side of Chicago.  

Career Statistics and Milestones

The Player

     While once considered a top prospect, Mark Teahen’s true potential was never reached.  He was an outstanding college player and did very well for himself in the minor leagues.  His problem was more of circumstance and bad timing.  Had the A’s not signed Chavez to a long term deal, Teahen would have likely been given his due in Oakland.  Had the Royals not been so high on Gordon, Teahen may very well still be playing the hot corner in K.C.  However, that wasn’t the case and he was shuffled around far too much.  Perhaps that was why he never found the groove that hit in 2006 when he batted .290 with 18 HR and 68 RBI in just under 400 AB.  He was never afforded the opportunity to grow from that year as the following season was spent learning to play a new position.

     Now I’m not saying that Teahen is the be all, end all of players.  Not by any means.  In fact, the Royals were likely looking at drafting a new third baseman after Teahen hit .246 in his first season and had the lowest fielding percentage (.947) of any major league third sackers.  But he did make improvements in ‘06 at the the plate and made a small improvement, though not much, in the field as well.  However, with the defense not catching up quickly enough, the move was imminent.  That should all play out in a very interesting fashion in Chicago as Teahen returns to third base where I’m sure his defense will be under heavy scrutiny from both the coaches and the fans. 

     As a hitter though, Teahen should find success at the plate.  Returning to his “natural” position will hopefully allow him to concentrate on his hitting and that, coupled with the dimensions of U.S. Cellular Field, could be where we see the most improvement.  He’s got decent power and has shown an improved plate discipline over the years.  He can still afford a few more walks in a season, but he has shown that he can lay off bad pitches and still produce with runners in scoring position.  Last year he hit lefties (.287) much better than righties (.262), but that adjustment has been coming for the last 2 years.  Most of his power has come against righties but he’s been working on his approach to left handed pitching and has dramatically improved over the years.  Not too bad if you’ve got a guy raking for power against righties but can still swing a mean bat against the southpaws.

     As a person, a friend, and a teammate, Teahen is rock solid.  He’s got a great attitude and a very altruistic sense of being given his professional athlete status.  While in K.C., Teahen was a spokesman and fundraiser for a program that gave children with mental or physical challenges a chance to play baseball, and in 2009 was awarded the Hutch Award which is given “to an active player who best exemplifies the fighting spirit and competitive desire to win” both on and off the field.

     We may suffer a bit on the defensive front, but I think Teahen will put it all together this year.  He’s got a great opportunity to prove his worth to Sox fans and I think he’ll feel relaxed and at ease with his new surroundings.  I will note that we do have a great 3B prospect in Brent Morel waiting for a call-up, so there will be a little bit of pressure.  However, if the Alex Rios experiment never comes to fruition, and Teahen’s bat is solid, then I could see a possible mid-season call-up that would include either the bench or a trade for Rios, a shift to center field for Juan Pierre and a move to left for Teahen.  But that’s a discussion for another time.  For now, here are my projections:

The season is almost upon us!!  Only 18 more days until pitchers and catchers report!!!

Tags: Alex Gordon, Alex Rios, Bobby Jenks, Brent Morel, Carlos Beltran, Carlos Quentin, Chicago White Sox, Chris Getz, Eric Chavez, John Buck, Josh Fields, Juan Pierre, Mark Teahen, Mike Wood, Octavio Dotel, White Sox