Teheran's slick move puts him in rare company

NEW YORK -- While recording a Major League-best eight pickoffs this season, Braves right-hander Julio Teheran has used the same move he possessed when he began his professional career. The rookie's success has been a product of his ability to mix the pace of his move toward first base.

"I think I'm a little quicker now," Teheran said. "Before, I was quick, but I didn't change [my pace]. Now I'm trying to change [my pace]. Sometimes I'm quick and sometimes I'm not as a quick."

Teheran's eight pickoffs were four more than any other Major Leaguer had recorded entering Tuesday. More impressive was that no other right-handed pitcher had recorded more than three. In fact, just two right-handers -- James Shields (13 in 2011) and Johnny Cueto (10 in 2012) have recorded more than eight pickoffs in a season dating back to 2000.

Teheran has already bettered the right-handed franchise record Armando Reynoso set with five pickoffs in 1991. The all-time Braves record is held by Charlie Leibrandt, who recorded 16 pickoffs in 1992.