Will Taylor Stats & Scouting Report

AB	63
AVG	.206
OBP	.329
SLG	.349
HR	2

Full name William Edward Taylor
Born 01/10/2003 in Columbia, SC
Profile Ht.: 6'0" / Wt.: 175 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Clemson
Drafted in the 5th round (145th overall) by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2024 (signed for $497,500).

View Draft Report

School: Clemson
Commit/Drafted: Rangers ’21 (19)
Age At Draft: 21.5
BA Grade: 45/Extreme
Tools: Hit: 45. Power: 40. Run: 55. Field: 55. Arm: 50.

Taylor was a first-round talent out of high school in 2021, but proved too difficult to sign and made it to Clemson where he played football and baseball for two seasons before dropping football and focusing on baseball after the 2023 spring season. That focus on baseball excited scouts, who were ready to see how one of the most impressive athletes in the class would build on a 2023 season where he slashed .362/.489/.523 with 16 doubles in 62 games. It was tough sledding for Taylor in 2024 as the 5-foot-11, 185-pound outfielder struggled to a .230/.465/.480 line through 32 games before a fractured left wrist ended his season. There are now real questions about Taylor’s hit and power tools and a poor 2023 summer in the Cape Cod League doesn’t help his case. Taylor stays within the strike zone on his swing decisions, but the swing itself needs some work and he too frequently swings and misses against breaking balls and off-speed pitches. Expected to be a center fielder, Taylor played left field for Clemson and has lost the plus-plus speed he previously showcased after a right knee injury during his freshman football season. He should be an above-average runner with a chance for center field in the future where he has solid-average arm strength and where his below-average power would profile better.

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Draft Prospects

School: Clemson Commit/Drafted: Rangers ’21 (19)
Age At Draft: 21.5
BA Grade: 45/Extreme
Tools: Hit: 45. Power: 40. Run: 55. Field: 55. Arm: 50.

Taylor was a first-round talent out of high school in 2021, but proved too difficult to sign and made it to Clemson where he played football and baseball for two seasons before dropping football and focusing on baseball after the 2023 spring season. That focus on baseball excited scouts, who were ready to see how one of the most impressive athletes in the class would build on a 2023 season where he slashed .362/.489/.523 with 16 doubles in 62 games. It was tough sledding for Taylor in 2024 as the 5-foot-11, 185-pound outfielder struggled to a .230/.465/.480 line through 32 games before a fractured left wrist ended his season. There are now real questions about Taylor’s hit and power tools and a poor 2023 summer in the Cape Cod League doesn’t help his case. Taylor stays within the strike zone on his swing decisions, but the swing itself needs some work and he too frequently swings and misses against breaking balls and off-speed pitches. Expected to be a center fielder, Taylor played left field for Clemson and has lost the plus-plus speed he previously showcased after a right knee injury during his freshman football season. He should be an above-average runner with a chance for center field in the future where he has solid-average arm strength and where his below-average power would profile better.