Chris Taylor Stats & Scouting Report

AB	213
AVG	.202
OBP	.298
SLG	.3
HR	4

Full name Christopher Armand Taylor
Born 08/29/1990 in Virginia Beach, VA
Profile Ht.: 6'1" / Wt.: 196 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Virginia
Debut 07/24/2014
Drafted in the 5th round (161st overall) by the Seattle Mariners in 2012 (signed for $500,000).

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Despite being the 3-A high school player of the year in Virginia in 2009, Taylor went undrafted and saw limited action as a freshman for the Cavaliers. He started all 68 games for Virginia as a sophomore, however, solidifying himself at shortstop after spending the first four games in the outfield. He had been up and down this spring and was hitting .279/.374/.448 in 201 at-bats. Taylor doesn't have one standout tool, but he gets attention with his defense and speed. He has a chance to stay at shortstop with good hands, a strong arm and good range, as he is a plus runner. The question is how much he will hit. He tends to stick with an inside-out approach and doesn't let loose as much as scouts would like. He has 21 extra-base hits, but he's a gap hitter as his home run power is below-average. He would be a useful utility player, but a team that thinks he can provide solid offense at shortstop could take him in the first four rounds.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Taylor signed for $500,000 in 2012 following his junior season at Virginia, almost double the recommended slot of $264,000. His father Chris Sr. and uncle Armand both wrestled at Virginia Tech, and the former held the school record for fastest pin, while the latter was a three-time conference wrestler of the year. Taylor was considered a glove-first prospect when he entered pro ball, but he hit his way to Double-A Jackson in 2013. He handles the bat well, sprays line drives to all fields and also is willing to be patient and take walks. However, he does not possess over-the-fence power, and his willingness to go deep in counts also results in a lot of strikeouts for someone with minimal power. He can be induced to chase two-strike pitches out of the zone. A stolen-base threat despite being just a tick-above-average runner, he has good instincts on the bases as well as in the field. He plays a good shortstop because of his range and hands, but some scouts question whether his fringe arm strength will force him to second base. Taylor has a chance to begin 2014 at Triple-A Tacoma with a good spring training. Seattle's middle-infield depth makes Taylor a better fit for them as a utility player.
The Mariners signed Taylor for $500,000--the biggest bonus in the fifth round of the 2012 draft--because of his athleticism, polish and hitting ability. He has a quick, loose swing and the ability to turn around any fastball. He puts together quality at-bats with a compact, line-drive stroke, though his power rates only a 30 on the 20-80 scouting scale. At shortstop, Taylor shows excellent hands, takes proper angles to balls and makes smooth transfers. Range will be a question, though. Some scouts got below-average running times from Taylor last summer, but the Mariners say he's above-average in that regard. He could have just been tired. He played every game at Virginia during his sophomore and junior years and was shut down as a pro with a dead arm. He's fundamentally sound with a good knowledge of the game and a businesslike approach. Taylor draws divergent opinions about his upside. Some scouts see him as an everyday big league shortstop, while others think he'll be more of a utilityman. Everyone agrees, however, that he's a baseball rat who plays the game with confidence and on an even keel. He'll start his first full pro season at one of Seattle's Class A affiliates.

Draft Prospects

Despite being the 3-A high school player of the year in Virginia in 2009, Taylor went undrafted and saw limited action as a freshman for the Cavaliers. He started all 68 games for Virginia as a sophomore, however, solidifying himself at shortstop after spending the first four games in the outfield. He had been up and down this spring and was hitting .279/.374/.448 in 201 at-bats. Taylor doesn't have one standout tool, but he gets attention with his defense and speed. He has a chance to stay at shortstop with good hands, a strong arm and good range, as he is a plus runner. The question is how much he will hit. He tends to stick with an inside-out approach and doesn't let loose as much as scouts would like. He has 21 extra-base hits, but he's a gap hitter as his home run power is below-average. He would be a useful utility player, but a team that thinks he can provide solid offense at shortstop could take him in the first four rounds.

Minor League Top Prospects

Taylor made quick work of the Cal League, earning a June promotion to Double-A in his first full professional season. He left High Desert behind as the second-leading hitter, having made a strong impression about his ability to be an offensive-minded middle infielder. Taylor consistently puts together professional at-bats. He has a quiet, easy approach to go with a line-drive swing. He won?t hit many homers, but he does have more sock in his bat than his wiry frame would suggest, giving him some pull-side power. He has a knack for barreling balls, though he had trouble laying off pitches above the belt at times. Taylor drew raves as a heady player who could diagnose how pitchers were working him at the plate. Despite just slightly above-average speed, he?ll steal his share of bases with an opportunistic baserunning approach. Some scouts feel he may end up at second base due to questions about his arm, but he plays a solid shortstop for the time being.

Career Transactions

Los Angeles Dodgers activated SS Chris Taylor from the 10-day injured list.
Los Angeles Dodgers sent SS Chris Taylor on a rehab assignment to Rancho Cucamonga Quakes.
Los Angeles Dodgers sent SS Chris Taylor on a rehab assignment to Oklahoma City Baseball Club.
Los Angeles Dodgers placed SS Chris Taylor on the 10-day injured list. Left groin strain.
Los Angeles Dodgers activated SS Chris Taylor from the 10-day injured list.
Los Angeles Dodgers sent SS Chris Taylor on a rehab assignment to Rancho Cucamonga Quakes.
Los Angeles Dodgers sent SS Chris Taylor on a rehab assignment to Rancho Cucamonga Quakes.
Los Angeles Dodgers sent SS Chris Taylor on a rehab assignment to Rancho Cucamonga Quakes.
Los Angeles Dodgers sent SS Chris Taylor on a rehab assignment to Rancho Cucamonga Quakes.
Los Angeles Dodgers sent SS Chris Taylor on a rehab assignment to ACL Dodgers.
Los Angeles Dodgers placed SS Chris Taylor on the 10-day injured list retroactive to June 22, 2023. Right knee soreness.