Prospect Countdown: #25 David Lough

25. David Lough Outfielder

AP Photo by Reed Hoffmann

Age: 26
Position: OF
Height: 5-11
Weight: 180
B/T: L/L
Acquired: Drafted in 11th Round of 2007 Amateur Draft
From: Akron, OH

Paden Bennett (NR):  Lough has been around for awhile now, and I have always had a soft spot for him.  He just gets it done every season.  A minor league career average of .294 with a .346 obp are awesome numbers.  I've always hoped he would take those numbers to the next level and become a staple in the Royals outfield for years to come but he hasn't ever made that jump but that doesnt mean hes not productive.  Lough can be a very productive player in the majors as a platoon guy, and I think he fits that bill in KC this season.

Joe Cox (20): David Lough is a player that could find himself on the major league roster for the entire 2013 season if he stays productive.  Lough is an athletic outfielder who can play all three positions and has shown throughout his minor league career that he can do a little bit of everything.  The soon to be 27 year old Lough got his first taste of the majors as a September call-up last season hitting .237 in 59 major league AB’s.  Lough earned the call-up after hitting .275/.317/.420 with AAA Omaha.  I read somewhere that Lough could be the Royals next Mitch Maier and I think that makes a lot of sense.  His defense and speed make him a valuable major league bench player, and on a team that currently has a thin outfield, Kansas City could use him in fairly regularly in 2013.

Damion Mandalas (NR): I've always been a David Lough fan. I really like what Joe said regarding a potential future as a Major League fourth outfielder. He's a guy that will likely never provide the production to be a first division regular, but he could be a valuable fourth or fifth outfielder. He has enough speed to steal and pinch run. He has enough contact and power to be a decent pinch hitter. He has enough range to fill in at any outfield spot. I like Lough and I think he is valuable as a depth piece moving forward. 

Dan Ware (NR):  Lough has endured his fair share of minor league ballgames.  640 to be exact.  That's quite the number for a 27 year old.  Although his short stint in Kansas City last season wasn't spectacular, at least he finally got a chance to play at Kauffman.  I'd like to see Lough in a Royals uniform all come April, but with our OF situation and Jarrod Dyson being the likely candidate for the 4th OF spot, David could see a lot more plate appearances in Omaha, rather than KC.  You can't argue with his solid career in the minors, the guy deserves a shot ("We said that about Ka'aihue and look what happened to him").  Not only has Lough been consistent with the bat over the years, he's got plus speed and he's a great in the outfield.  I hate to say this, but if he's going to be an everyday OF, I don't think it will be in a Royals uniform.

Total Points: 11