Position: OF
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 180 lbs
Bats/Throws: R/R
Born: 01/10/2003
College: Clemson
How Acquired: Drafted 5th round, 145th Overall, 2024
Bonus: $500,000
40-man Roster: No
Rule 5 Eligible: 2027
Minor League Free Agency: 2030
Options Left: 3
Overview
Taylor was regarded as a first round talent as a prep senior, but he wanted to go to Clemson in part to play football as a receiver. He fell to the 19th round of the MLB draft and didn’t sign. A torn knee ligament led to him dropping football and also impacted his well-above-average speed a little. He missed much of his junior season due to a wrist injury and batted only 230/465/480 before that happened. As a sophomore, he hit 362/489/523. Taylor has good hitting ability and looks to control the strike zone, but he hits to all fields and hasn’t shown much power potential so far. His instincts in the outfield may be good enough for center. His arm is fringy. Baseball America ranked him 165th among draft prospects, MLB Pipeline 203rd. Taylor signed for $28,600 above the slot amount.
2024
The Pirates activated Taylor not long after the draft and he got into 17 games for Bradenton. He showed a very patient approach at the plate that led to some unfavorable counts, but he seemed to do better as he got more aggressive. He finished with a line of 206/329/349, which was about league average in OPS. Taylor had nine walks and 20 strikeouts in 76 plate appearances. He divided him time between center and right.
Stats
Transactions
July 13, 2021: Drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 19th round, 554th overall pick.
July 15, 2024: Drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 5th round, 145th overall pick; signed July 26.