Teagarden assigned to Spokane

The Texas Rangers have assigned third-round draft pick Taylor Teagarden to the Spokane Indians. Teagarden, who was signed on Monday, was the 99th overall selection out of the University of Texas in this year’s draft.

Teagarden, 21, batted .333 (74 for 422) with 22 doubles, seven home runs and 33 runs batted in during 63 games as a junior to help the Longhorns win their sixth College World Series in June.

A native of Carrollton, Texas, Teagarden was rated the second-best catcher by Baseball America in the draft, behind Seattle Mariners first-round pick Jeff Clement.

A client of agent Scott Boras, Teagarden was drafted in the 22nd round by the Chicago Cubs when he graduated from Creekview High School in 2002, but chose the burnt-orange and white of the Longhorns instead. He started 55 of 62 appearances in as a freshman, earning Big 12 freshman of the year honors as he batted .315 with five home runs and 41 RBIs.

In three years at Texas, he appeared in three College World Series and had an average of .304 (208 for 682) with 22 home runs and 125 RBIs.

“We’re excited to have him, and the players are excited to have a top pick,” said Indians manager Greg Riddoch on the phone from Vancouver, British Columbia. “He’s supposed to be the best catching prospect, according to some scouts. I’m sure he’ll help out the pitching staff.”

Despite missing nearly a month with a rib cage injury this past season, Teagarden homered three times his first weekend back in the regional to send Texas into the Super Regionals.

“That tells you about his resilience,” said Riddoch, who realized that Teagarden has missed more than a month since last playing the CWS championship game on June 26. “Maybe he’ll come in and hit the ground running for us also.”