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| Robinson Tejeda in action earlier this season (Photo: Minda Haas / Royal Blues) |
Last season, according to FanGraphs.com, Tejeda averaged 93.7 mph on his fastball. His fastball was noticeably slower (88.8 mph average) to start this season. The Royals placed him on the DL on April 14 with shoulder inflammation. Last night was his first rehab appearance.
He threw 13 fastballs, at least ten of which were 90 mph or better, according to the stadium radar gun. He hit 90 mph three times; 91 mph four times; 92 mph twice; and 93 mph once. He also hit 88 mph once and 89 once (which turned out to be a single). I missed one of his fastballs, so I can’t give you the speed on that particular pitch.
After the game, Omaha World Herald writer Rob White asked Tejeda about his velocity and here’s what he said, “I’m not putting any pressure on myself to throw 97 or 98. My velocity is going to come. I don’t know exactly when. But this is better than it was before (in April), when I was 86 to 90. If I can hit 93, that means I can go a little more.”
Tejeda faced six hitters in the seventh inning:
- Oklahoma City catcher Robinson Cancel singled to start the inning.
- Shortstop Tommy Manzella struck out swinging, but during his at bat Lucas May allowed a passed ball and Cancel advanced to second.
- Third baseman Anderson Hernandez saw three straight fastballs from Tejeda (90, 92, 90) and he grounded out to second on the third one. Cancel moved over to third.
- Left fielder J.B. Shuck reached on a fielding error by Irving Falu, allowing Cancel to score what turned out to be the winning run.
- Second baseman Joe Inglett singled on a belt high, 89 mph fastball over the inside portion of the plate from Tejeda, who worked Inglett away for the first four pitches before coming inside.
- Tejeda finished the inning by striking out Collin DeLome swinging on a belt high, 93 mph fastball over the outside portion of the plate.
