David Lough

{{Infobox baseball biography

| name = David Lough

| image = David Lough on April 16, 2014.jpg

| image_size = 250px

| caption = Lough with the Baltimore Orioles in 2014

| team =

| number =

| position = Outfielder

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1986|1|20}}

| birth_place = Akron, Ohio, U.S.

| bats = Left

| throws = Left

| debutleague = MLB

| debutdate = September 1

| debutyear = 2012

| debutteam = Kansas City Royals

| finalleague = MLB

| finaldate = June 1

| finalyear = 2016

| finalteam = Philadelphia Phillies

| statleague = MLB

| stat1label = Batting average

| stat1value = .254

| stat2label = Home runs

| stat2value = 13

| stat3label = Runs batted in

| stat3value = 67

| teams =

Kansas City Royals ({{mlby|2012}}–{{mlby|2013}})
Baltimore Orioles ({{mlby|2014}}–{{mlby|2015}})
Philadelphia Phillies ({{mlby|2016}})

}}

David Dennis Lough ({{IPAc-en|l|oʊ}} {{respell|loh}};{{Cite web |url=http://www.pressboxonline.com/2013/12/18/orioles-trade-danny-valencia-for-of-david-lough |title=Folkemer, Paul. "Orioles Trade Danny Valencia For OF David Lough," PressBox Baltimore, Wednesday, December 18, 2013. |access-date=July 26, 2014 |archive-date=August 8, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808150604/http://www.pressboxonline.com/2013/12/18/orioles-trade-danny-valencia-for-of-david-lough |url-status=dead }} born January 20, 1986) is an American former professional baseball outfielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Kansas City Royals, Baltimore Orioles, and Philadelphia Phillies. While primarily used in left field throughout his career, Lough played in all outfield positions.

Baseball career

=Amateur career=

A graduate of Green High School, Lough attended Mercyhurst College and played college baseball and college football for the Mercyhurst Lakers in the National Collegiate Athletic Association's Division II. For the baseball team, Lough recorded batting averages of .409 and .404 in his sophomore and junior years. As a wide receiver for the football team, Lough had 16 receptions for 223 yards in his junior year.{{cite web|first1=Steve|last1=Melewski|date=February 5, 2014|url=http://www.masnsports.com/steve_melewski/2014/02/after-long-road-to-the-majors-is-david-lough-ready-to-take-flight-as-an-oriole.html |title=Steve Melewski: After long road to the majors, is David Lough ready to take flight as an Oriole? |publisher=Masnsports.com |access-date=February 6, 2014}}

=Kansas City Royals=

Lough was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 11th round of the 2007 Major League Baseball Draft. Lough made his major league debut September 1, 2012 against the Minnesota Twins.{{cite news|title=Detroit Tigers Beat Kansas City Royals, Tigers Pitcher Max Scherzer Wins 9th In A Row|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/12/detroit-tigers-kansas-city-royals-max-scherzer_n_3427485.html|access-date=July 29, 2014|agency=Associated Press|publisher=Huffington Post|date=June 11, 2013}} On June 11, 2013, Lough hit his first Major League home run off Detroit Tigers starter Max Scherzer. On June 30, 2013, Lough became only the fifth Royal to get four extra base hits in a game, joining George Brett, Hal McRae, Lonnie Smith and Johnny Damon.{{cite news|last1=Dutton|first1=Bob|title=David Lough's four extra-base hits enough for Royals in 9-8 win over Twins|url=http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article322273/David-Lough%E2%80%99s-four-extra-base-hits-enough-for-Royals-in-9-8-win-over-Twins.html|access-date=July 29, 2014|publisher=Kansas City Star|date=June 30, 2013}} His strong play in 2013 (.286 AVG with 5 HR's and 33 RBI over 96 games) helped him finish 8th in American League Rookie of the Year voting.

=Baltimore Orioles=

File:Lough-Snider.jpeg in February 2015. ]]On December 18, 2013, Lough was traded to the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for third baseman Danny Valencia.{{cite news|last1=Kerkhoff|first1=Blair|title=Royals deal outfielder David Lough to Orioles for infielder Danny Valencia|url=http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article334316/Royals-deal-outfielder-David-Lough-to-Orioles-for-infielder-Danny-Valencia.html|access-date=July 29, 2014|publisher=Kansas City Star|date=December 19, 2013}}{{cite news|last1=Chastain|first1=Bill|title=O's acquire Lough from Royals for Valencia|url=http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/bal/baltimore-orioles-acquire-david-lough-from-kansas-city-royals-for-danny-valencia?ymd=20131218&content_id=66063296&vkey=news_bal|access-date=July 29, 2014|work=MLB.com|date=December 18, 2013|archive-date=July 29, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140729081616/http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/bal/baltimore-orioles-acquire-david-lough-from-kansas-city-royals-for-danny-valencia?ymd=20131218&content_id=66063296&vkey=news_bal|url-status=dead}} Lough played a late-inning utility role for the Orioles in 2014, appearing in 112 games and batting .247/.309/.385 with four home runs, 16 RBI, and eight stolen bases.{{Cite web|title=Preparing for '15, Lough reflects on up-and-down year|url=https://www.mlb.com/orioles/news/orioles-outfielder-david-lough-reflects-on-up-and-down-2014-season/c-110140186|access-date=January 31, 2025|website=mlb.com|date=February 23, 2015 |language=en}}

On April 13, 2015, the Orioles activated Lough from the disabled list so he could join the team full-time for the 2015 season.{{cite web|last1=Encina|first1=Eduardo|title=Orioles activate David Lough from DL, option Eddie Gamboa to Triple-A Norfolk|url=http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-orioles-active-david-lough-from-dl-option-eddie-gamboa-to-triplea-norfolk-20150413-story.html|website=The Baltimore Sun|access-date=April 18, 2015}} On April 25, in the tenth inning of a game against the Boston Red Sox, Lough hit a two-run walk off home run off of closer Koji Uehara to win the game 5-4.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2015/04/25/orioles-david-lough-homers-off-koji-uehara-red-sox-lose-game/K6k20BJdi5GzlEi6SyqQgP/story.html|title = Koji Uehara falters in 10th, ruins Red Sox comeback - the Boston Globe|website = The Boston Globe}}{{Cite web|url=http://augustafreepress.com/david-lough-walk-off-lifts-baltimore-to-dramatic-5-4-win-over-red-sox-in-extras/|title=David Lough walk-off lifts Baltimore to dramatic 5-4 win over Red Sox in extras|date=April 26, 2015}} Lough was designated for assignment by the Orioles on August 14.{{Cite web|title=Orioles Designate David Lough For Assignment|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/08/david-lough-designated-orioles.html|access-date=January 31, 2025|website=mlbtraderumors.com|date=August 14, 2015 |language=en}} He cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple-A Norfolk Tides on August 23.{{Cite web|title=Minor MLB Transactions: 8/23/15|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/08/minor-mlb-transactions-82315.html|access-date=January 31, 2025|website=mlbtraderumors.com|date=August 23, 2015 |language=en}} On September 24, the Orioles selected Lough's contract, adding him back to their active roster.{{Cite web|title=Minor MLB Transactions: 9/24/15|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/09/minor-mlb-transactions-92415.html|access-date=January 31, 2025|website=mlbtraderumors.com|date=September 24, 2015 |language=en}} In 84 total appearances for Baltimore, he slashed .201/.241/.313 with four home runs, 12 RBI, and two stolen bases. On December 3, the Orioles non-tendered Lough, making him a free agent.{{Cite web|title=2015-16 American League Non-Tenders|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/12/2015-16-american-league-non-tenders.html|access-date=January 31, 2025|website=mlbtraderumors.com|date=December 3, 2015 |language=en}}

=Philadelphia Phillies=

On January 25, 2016, Lough signed a minor league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies that included an invitation to spring training.{{Cite web|title=Phillies Sign David Lough To Minor League Deal|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2016/01/phillies-sign-david-lough.html|access-date=January 31, 2025|website=mlbtraderumors.com|date=January 25, 2016 |language=en}} On April 18, the Phillies selected Lough's contract, adding him to their active roster. He made his Phillies debut that evening. In 30 games for Philadelphia, Lough batted .239/.342/.313 with four RBI and one stolen base. On June 2, Lough was designated for assignment.{{cite web|url=http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2016/06/phillies-designate-david-lough-for-assignment.html|title=Phillies Designate David Lough For Assignment|last=Adams|first=Steve|work=mlbtraderumors.com|date=June 2, 2016|access-date=June 2, 2016}}

=Detroit Tigers=

On February 7, 2017, Lough signed a minor league contract with the Detroit Tigers that included an invitation to spring training.{{Cite web|title=Tigers, David Lough Agree To Minor League Deal|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/02/tigers-david-lough-agree-to-minor-league-deal.html|access-date=January 10, 2025|website=mlbtraderumors.com|date=February 7, 2017 |language=en}} In 24 games for the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens, he batted .170/.210/.203 with no home runs, RBI, or stolen bases. Lough was released by the Tigers organization on May 17.{{Cite web|title=Lough inks Minor league deal with Tribe|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/indians-sign-david-lough-to-minor-league-deal-c231914884|access-date=January 10, 2025|website=mlb.com|language=en}}

=Cleveland Indians=

On May 23, 2017, Lough signed a minor league deal with the Cleveland Indians organization. {{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/05/indians-sign-david-lough.html|title = Indians Sign David Lough| date=May 23, 2017 }} Lough would play in only four games for the Triple–A Columbus Clippers on the year and elected free agency following the season on November 6.{{Cite web|title=Minor League Free Agents 2017|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-free-agents-2017/?amphtml|access-date=2023-06-03|website=baseballamerica.com|date=November 7, 2017 |language=en}}

Personal life

Lough resides in his home town of Green, Ohio.{{cite web|last1=Kuzydym|first1=Stephanie|title=How David Lough went from Green High School to batting leadoff for the Baltimore Orioles|url=http://www.cleveland.com/sports/index.ssf/2014/04/david_lough_baltimore_orioles.html|website=Cleveland.com|date=April 14, 2014}}