Last season, KC Royals rookie pitcher Nate Adcock took the inaugural award because he spent the entire season in the big leagues, but spent more time picking splinters than actually throwing baseballs. I thought about him again this season, but he spent more time on the shuttle back-and-forth to Triple-A Omaha than sitting on the bench.

There wasn’t a sure pick this season, so I decided to split it into halves.

Teaford waiting to catch a ball during BP

In the first half, former outfielder Mitch Maier recorded just 74 at-bats through the month of June. He was then designated for assignment and was never to be seen from again (despite winning Pacific Coast League Player of the Week honors in August).

In his final month in the big leagues, Maier had just nine at-bats, but got into 13 games. He went in as a defensive replacement in four straight games in the first week of June.

In the second half, the splinter picker was lefty Everett Teaford, which makes me wonder if he’ll ever get a chance with the Royals. This may have been due to the fact that the Royals always seemed to be saving him in case they needed a starter.

In the month of August, Teaford pitched in just four games. Overall, he pitched in 18 games, totaling 61.1 innings. Sure, he spent time in Triple-A, but that is why I am giving him the award for the second half. He pitched in 15 games since he was recalled from the minors for good at the end of June.