Royals sign infielder Taylor Featherston to a minor league deal

The Royals have signed infielder Taylor Featherston to a minor league deal, according to Baseball America. The 29-year old former TCU Horned Frog has spent parts of three seasons in the big leagues with the Angels, Rays, and Phillies. The right-handed hitter has 244 career Major League plate appearances, hitting .160/.221/.256.

He spent all of last season in the minor league, beginning the year with the Twins’ Triple-A affiliate. He was released in June after hitting just .167/.270/.278 in 55 games with Rochester. He spent 25 games last summer playing for the Kansas City T-Bones in the independent American Association, before ending the year in AA ball with the Reds, where he hit .237/.283/.378 in 36 games.

Featherston was actually signed back on January 4, but was not listed among the 19 non-roster spring training invitees last week, although he could still be invited. Most likely he will provide depth in Omaha, and could come up if the Royals become short-handed in the infield. The Royals have been reportedly looking for more veteran infield depth, although it seems unlikely Featherston puts an end to that search.