Author Topic: Follow the Prospects: Michael Taylor, CF (Read 18502 times)

Lintyfresh85 · « **Topic Start:** April 26, 2012, 11:33:40 AM »

Height: 6'2
Weight: 190
DOB: 3/26/1991
Hometown: Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
School(s): Westminster Academy (HS)
Position: Centerfield
Drafted: 6th round in 2009 draft by the Washington Nationals
Nationals Prospect rank for 2012: #10 - Baseball America, #12 - Minor League Ball, #7 - Baseball Prospectus

2012 stats (Potomac) - 16 G, .218/.377/.309/.686, 0 HR, 7 RBI, 2 SB, 5 R
Career - .238/.309/.392/.701

Lintyfresh85 · « **Reply #1:** April 26, 2012, 11:34:05 AM »

Quote from: Baseball America

A raw athlete who lacked polish at shortstop, Taylor struggled mightily in the infield and at the plate in his 2010 debut. The Nationals moved him to center field in instructional league after the season, and he took to it immediately, flashing premium defensive ability by the end of the fall. The defensive switch also took pressure off him at the plate, and he held his own in low Class A as a 20-year-old last year. He reminds club officials of Devon White and Mike Cameron physically, using his plus speed to glide effortlessly around center field, where his excellent instincts translate to stellar range. Taylor still is fine-tuning his throwing technique but flashes above-average arm strength. He's a work in progress at the plate, but his quick hands generate impressive leverage and bat speed. He had a narrow base and a long stride heading into 2011, causing his front foot to get down late and his back side to collapse. He made progress during the season at getting his foot down earlier and staying in better hitting position. Taylor also showed the ability to shorten up and take the ball the other way with two strikes, though Washington wants him to do a better job attacking pitches when he's ahead in the count. His power is to center and left field, and he has a chance to grow into 20-25 homer pop as he fills out his angular frame. The Nats love Taylor's upside, but he's still a long way from putting everything together. He'll advance to high Class A in 2012.

Lintyfresh85 · « **Reply #2:** April 26, 2012, 11:36:32 AM »

Video interview with Taylor.

http://www.milb.com/multimedia/vpp.jsp?content_id=18878243&topic_id=&sid=milb&tcid=vpp_copy_18878243&v=3

cmdterps44 · « **Reply #3:** April 26, 2012, 11:41:03 AM »

I'm

all over him. Good in the field and a potential 20-25 homer power? Sign me up.

JCA-CrystalCity · « **Reply #4:** April 26, 2012, 12:36:39 PM »

Thanks Linty!

JMUalumni · « **Reply #5:** April 26, 2012, 01:28:26 PM »

I would like to see them keep Taylor in the leadoff spot for the foreseeable future, so that he can grow accustomed to the role, but they have been having him bat 3rd and 5th lately for the P-Nats. I still like Oduber, but Taylor is definitely the better option.

sportsfan882 · « **Reply #6:** April 26, 2012, 09:47:29 PM »

Taylor 3/3 with 3 Doubles, 1 RBI, 1 Run, and a walk tonight.

JMUalumni · « **Reply #7:** April 26, 2012, 09:51:14 PM »

Quote

Tim Swartz ‏ @TimSwartz
P-Nats tie it in 7th on Taylor RBI double that scored one but Freitas out at home. Taylor's third double of game. 6-6 at BB&T Ballpark b7

Lintyfresh85 · « **Reply #8:** April 27, 2012, 01:22:50 AM »

Taylor up to an .808 OPS after tonight's big game!

JCA-CrystalCity · « **Reply #9:** April 23, 2013, 08:25:28 AM »

slow start at potomac - 75 PA in 16 games, .231 / .324 / .369, 4 steals, 3 CS. 7 BB and 2 HBP helping the OBP.

Smithian · « **Reply #10:** May 28, 2013, 03:10:53 PM »

@NationalsPR: Potomac #Nationals CF Michael Taylor has been named Carolina League Player of the Week for the week ending 5/26.

natasaurus · « **Reply #11:** July 17, 2013, 09:45:45 PM »

4 for 4 with 2 doubles today. Impressive.

Smithian · « **Reply #12:** July 18, 2013, 10:09:59 AM »

I'm not sure he will ever make it to the majors, but his numbers are clearly up year #2 in Potomac.

Slateman · « **Reply #13:** July 18, 2013, 10:39:40 AM »

Call him up. He can hit for Span

tomterp · « **Reply #14:** July 18, 2013, 08:50:16 PM »

Quote from: Smithian on July 18, 2013, 10:09:59 AM

I'm not sure he will ever make it to the majors, but his numbers are clearly up year #2 in Potomac.

There's something to be said for hope.

Lintyfresh85 · « **Reply #15:** July 18, 2013, 09:55:07 PM »

Taylor will be a serviceable major leaguer some day. Does he reach the ceiling of his Mike Cameron comparison? Unlikely, unless he transforms his body... but he has enough tools to stick in the majors.

natasaurus · « **Reply #16:** July 19, 2013, 08:39:59 AM »

He's hitting .329/.347/.529 against lefties. He looks like he could be a good 4th outfielder or maybe even the right-handed half of a platoon with Brian Goodwin.

sportsfan882 · « **Reply #17:** August 31, 2013, 09:26:18 PM »

4/4 with 2 Doubles, HR, 5 RBIs, 2 Runs, 1 Walk, 1 SB tonight for Taylor.

What do we make of his season? He has 39 doubles, 48 SBs (6 CS), .330+ OBP.

natasaurus · « **Reply #18:** August 31, 2013, 11:12:01 PM »

Quote from: sportsfan882 on August 31, 2013, 09:26:18 PM

4/4 with 2 Doubles, HR, 5 RBIs, 2 Runs, 1 Walk, 1 SB tonight for Taylor.

What do we make of his season? He has 39 doubles, 48 SBs (6 CS), .330+ OBP.

Rebounded this season. We need to add him to the 40-man this winter.

JCA-CrystalCity · « **Reply #19:** September 01, 2013, 09:59:21 AM »

ISO is respectable (.161), too, kept a decent walk rate and dropped his K rate down to 22%. He's making progress. My guess is they expose him to the Rule 5 thinking no team would keep him on a major league roster all year.

natasaurus · « **Reply #20:** September 01, 2013, 12:39:03 PM »

I think if there's any chance that a team can keep him on their roster as a pinch runner/defensive replacement, we should protect him. Some space is going to open up, and we need to protect him, Barrett, Walters, and Solis.

blue911 · « **Reply #21:** September 01, 2013, 01:01:49 PM »

19 assists from centerfield is insane. Kid must have a hose.

JCA-CrystalCity · « **Reply #22:** September 01, 2013, 01:21:10 PM »

the d and speed probably does make him a 5th outfielder candidate if he were claimed on rule 5.

Slateman · « **Reply #23:** September 01, 2013, 09:29:30 PM »

Quote from: blue911 on September 01, 2013, 01:01:49 PM

19 assists from centerfield is insane. Kid must have a hose.

Indeed

Lintyfresh85 · « **Reply #24:** September 02, 2013, 11:32:50 AM »

He's fantastic on defense. I'd say MLB ready. Great reads, uses his speed well and the arm is 50-60 right now.

Hitting still needs work, but the Cameron comparison works.