Taylor Featherston

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name = Taylor Featherston

|image = Taylor Featherston on May 15, 2015.jpg

|image_size = 240px

|caption = Featherston with the Los Angeles Angels

|position = Infielder

|team =

|number =

|bats = Right

|throws = Right

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1989|10|8}}

|birth_place = Houston, Texas, U.S.

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate = April 12

|debutyear = 2015

|debutteam = Los Angeles Angels

|finalleague = MLB

|finaldate = July 31

|finalyear = 2017

|finalteam = Tampa Bay Rays

|statleague = MLB

|stat1label = Batting average

|stat1value = .160

|stat3label = Home runs

|stat3value = 4

|stat4label = Runs batted in

|stat4value = 16

|awards =

|teams =

Los Angeles Angels ({{mlby|2015}})
Philadelphia Phillies ({{mlby|2016}})
Tampa Bay Rays ({{mlby|2017}})

}}

Taylor Joseph Featherston (born October 8, 1989) is an American former professional baseball infielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Los Angeles Angels, Philadelphia Phillies, and Tampa Bay Rays.

Career

=Amateur=

Featherston graduated from James E. Taylor High School in Katy, Texas. He attended Texas Christian University (TCU), where he played college baseball for the TCU Horned Frogs baseball team.{{cite news|url=http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/ranch/sports/taylor-grad-featherston-shining-in-rockies-system/article_c82c26e8-eddc-51ae-9f13-730a5b2038e8.html|title=Taylor grad Featherston shining in Rockies system|newspaper=Chron |publisher=yourkatynews.com|accessdate=December 11, 2014|date=October 24, 2013 |last1=Marrion |first1=Jack }} In 2010, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Brewster Whitecaps of the Cape Cod Baseball League.{{cite web|url=https://baseball.pointstreak.com/player.html?playerid=56449&seasonid=239 |title=#11 Taylor Featherston |publisher=pointstreak.com |accessdate=September 23, 2021}}

=Colorado Rockies=

The Colorado Rockies selected Featherston in the fifth round of the 2011 MLB Draft.{{cite web|url=http://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/astros/article/Qualls-can-t-shake-snakebitten-status-as-Astros-6348005.php|title=Qualls can't shake 'snakebitten' status as Astros fall in 11|work=Houston Chronicle|accessdate=July 6, 2015|date=June 25, 2015}} In 2014, he played for the Tulsa Drillers of the Double–A Texas League. He had a .260 batting average, 16 home runs, and 57 runs batted in for Tulsa.{{cite web|url=http://www.tulsaworld.com/blogs/sports/probaseball/pro-baseball-rockies-lose-former-drillers-stars-in-rule-draft/article_dee66174-d841-5d3c-bb8b-4878bd9f36fb.html|title=Pro baseball: Rockies lose former Drillers stars in Rule 5 draft|work=Tulsa World|date=December 11, 2014 |accessdate=July 6, 2015}}

=Los Angeles Angels=

On December 11, 2014, the Chicago Cubs selected Featherston from the Rockies in the Rule 5 Draft, and subsequently traded him to the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for cash considerations. Featherston competed for a role with the Angels as a utility infielder in spring training.{{cite web|url=http://www.latimes.com/sports/angels/la-sp-angels-20150311-story.html|title=Taylor Featherston has good chance to make Angels roster as a utility man|date=March 10, 2015|work=Los Angeles Times|accessdate=April 13, 2015}} The Angels carried Featherston as their backup infielder on their Opening Day roster.{{cite web|url=http://m.angels.mlb.com/news/article/116322366/los-angeles-angels-cut-six-players-including-andrew-heaney|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150407020202/http://m.angels.mlb.com/news/article/116322366/los-angeles-angels-cut-six-players-including-andrew-heaney|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 7, 2015|title=Heaney among six players sent to Minors|work=Los Angeles Angels|accessdate=April 13, 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ocregister.com/angels/seattle-656890-angels-taylor.html|title=Angels' Taylor Featherston preps for new role|date=April 6, 2015|publisher=ocregister.com|accessdate=April 13, 2015}} He made his major league debut on April 12.{{cite web|url=http://www.latimes.com/sports/angels/la-sp-angels-royals-box-20150413-story.html|title=Angels fall to Kansas City, 9-2|date=April 12, 2015|work=Los Angeles Times|accessdate=April 13, 2015}} Featherston batted .162 during the 2015 season, receiving 154 at bats in 101 games played.{{cite web|url=http://www.mcall.com/sports/baseball/ironpigs/mc-ironpigs-pawsox-0414-20160414-story.html|title=Taylor Featherston is always in the game, even if he's not - The Morning Call|author=The Morning Call|date=April 14, 2016|publisher=themorningcall.com|accessdate=April 20, 2016}}

On February 5, 2016, Featherston was designated for assignment following the acquisition of Christian Friedrich.{{cite web|url=http://www.ocregister.com/articles/angels-702958-featherston-friedrich.html|title=Angels add LH reliever Christian Friedrich, DFA Taylor Featherston|work=The Orange County Register|date=February 5, 2016|accessdate=April 20, 2016}}

=Philadelphia Phillies=

On February 10, 2016, the Philadelphia Phillies acquired Featherston from the Angels in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations.{{cite web|url=http://www.csnphilly.com/baseball-philadelphia-phillies/phillies-acquire-infielder-taylor-featherston-angels|title=Phillies acquire infielder Taylor Featherston from Angels|work=Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia|accessdate=April 20, 2016}} He began the 2016 season with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs of the Triple–A International League. The Phillies promoted Featherston to the major leagues on July 25.{{cite web|last=Seidman |first=Corey |url=http://www.csnphilly.com/philadelphia-phillies/phillies-call-taylor-featherston-replace-injured-andres-blanco |title=Phillies call up Taylor Featherston to replace injured Andres Blanco |publisher=CSN Philly |date=July 25, 2016 |accessdate=June 9, 2017}} They designated him for assignment on September 10.{{cite web|url=http://www.delawareonline.com/story/sports/mlb/phillies/2016/09/10/phillies-call-up-four-more-players-bolstering-bullpen/90188446/ |title=Phillies call up four more players, bolstering bullpen |publisher=Delawareonline.com |date=September 10, 2016 |accessdate=June 9, 2017}} Featherston began the 2017 season with Lehigh Valley.

=Tampa Bay Rays=

On June 9, 2017, the Phillies traded Featherston to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for cash considerations.{{cite web |url=http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/rays/more-moves-for-rays-rickie-weels-to-dl-taylor-featherston-acquired-from/2326759 |title=More moves for Rays: Rickie Weeks to DL, Taylor Featherston acquired from Phillies |work=Tampa Bay Times |accessdate=June 9, 2017 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170609203503/http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/rays/more-moves-for-rays-rickie-weels-to-dl-taylor-featherston-acquired-from/2326759 |archivedate=June 9, 2017 |df=mdy-all }} He batted .179 for the Rays, and also played for the Triple–A Durham Bulls of the International League.

=Minnesota Twins=

On December 15, 2017, Featherston signed a minor league contract with the Minnesota Twins.{{cite web|url=http://www.startribune.com/twins-sign-taylor-featherston-two-others-to-minor-league-deals/464425263/|title=Twins sign Taylor Featherston, two others to minor league deals|first=Chris|last=Miller|work=Star-Tribune|date=December 15, 2017|accessdate=December 18, 2017}} He was released on June 18, 2018.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/06/twins-release-taylor-featherston.html|title=Twins Release Taylor Featherston|last=Adams|first=Steve|work=mlbtraderumors.com|date=June 18, 2018|accessdate=June 18, 2018}}

=Kansas City T-Bones=

On June 25, 2018, Featherston signed with the Kansas City T-Bones of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball. In 25 games he struggled mightily hitting .202/.288/.434 with 5 home runs, 15 RBIs and 2 stolen bases.

=Cincinnati Reds=

On July 24, 2018, Featherston's contract was purchased by the Cincinnati Reds organization. In 36 games for the Double-A Pensacola Blue Wahoos, he batted .237/.283/.378 with 3 home runs and 15 RBI. Featherston elected free agency following the season on November 2.{{Cite web|title=Minor League Free Agents 2018|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-free-agents-2018/|access-date=May 17, 2024|website=baseballamerica.com|date=November 6, 2018 |language=en}}

=Kansas City Royals=

On January 3, 2019, Featherston signed a minor league contract with the Kansas City Royals.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-transactions-dec-19-2018-jan-10-2019/|title=Minor League Transactions: Dec 19 - Jan 10|work=Baseball America|first=Matt|last=Eddy|date=January 12, 2019|accessdate=January 12, 2019}} In 118 games split between the Double–A Northwest Arkansas Naturals and Triple–A Omaha Storm Chasers, he slashed a combined .241/.303/.426 with 17 home runs and 58 RBI. Featherston elected free agency following the season on November 4.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-free-agents-2019/|title=Minor League Free Agents 2019|author=Matt Eddy|website=Baseball America|date=November 7, 2019|accessdate=November 7, 2019}}

=Seattle Mariners=

On April 6, 2022, after spending the past two years out of baseball, Featherston signed a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners organization.{{cite web | url=https://www.milb.com/player/taylor-featherston-605227 | title=Taylor Featherston Stats, Fantasy & News }} He elected free agency following the season, without having appeared for the organization, on November 10.{{Cite web|title=2022-23 Minor League Free Agents For All 30 MLB Teams|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2022-23-minor-league-free-agents-for-all-30-mlb-teams/?amphtml|access-date=November 14, 2023|website=baseballamerica.com|date=November 13, 2022 |language=en}}

In September 2023, Featherston joined Whitebox Real Estate as an associate broker, officially ending his playing career.{{Cite web|title=Taylor Featherston - Associate Broker - Whitebox Real Estate, LLC|url=https://www.linkedin.com/in/taylor-featherston-6ab63827a|access-date=November 14, 2023|website=linkedin.com|language=en}}

Personal life

On April 6, 2020, Featherston married Taylor (née Lowery).{{Cite web|url=https://www.arkansasbride.com/article/131194/real-hot-springs-wedding-taylor-lowery-taylor-featherstone|title = Real Hot Springs Wedding: Taylor Lowery & Taylor Featherstone}}