Taylor Green

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Milwaukee Brewers #8 prospect in 2012
  Green was the Brewers' minor league player of the year in 2007 and was on the list of potential players to be named later in the C.C. Sabathia trade the following year. His career took a downturn after he had surgery on his left wrist in January 2009, costing him half of that season and continued to affect his swing in 2010. He got back on track in 2011, earning Triple-A Pacific Coast League all-star honors, his second organization player of the year award and his first big league callup. His aptitude as a pinch-hitter earned him a spot on Milwaukee's postseason roster. Green has a compact swing, an all-fields approach and solid power. He makes consistent contact and draws his share of walks. Much of his value lies in his bat, because he's a below-average runner with only adequate defensive skills. He doesn't have great range or a fantastic arm at third base, and lacks the quickness desired at second base, but his reliable hands and good instincts allow him to make routine plays. After getting left off the Brewers' 40-man roster after the 2010 season, Green went from Double-A on Opening Day to the National League Championship Series in October. Now he's in position to push his way into Milwaukee's lineup with a strong performance in spring training.
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  Ranked Milwaukee Brewers #20 prospect in 2010
  A pitch hit Green on the left wrist near the end of the 2008 season, but it wasn't until well into the offseason that tests revealed a compression fracture that required a bone graft. The Brewers worried he would miss all of 2009, but self-motivation and an aggressive rehab program got him back on the field by mid-May. He wasn't 100 percent, however, and didn't hit as he had in the past. He still controlled the strike zone but rarely drove the ball with any authority. Hitters often take a long time to regain their power following a wrist injury, but whether Green would have the pop desired in a third baseman already was in question before he got hurt. He's more of a line-drive, contact hitter. His bat profiles better at second base, but he's a below-average runner and may lack the quickness to move there. He has decent range and an adequate arm at third base. Scouts love his competitive nature. Green, who was on the short list of potential players to be named in the 2008 C.C. Sabathia trade, will return to Double-A in 2010.
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  Ranked Milwaukee Brewers #8 prospect in 2009
  The Brewers' 2007 minor league player of the year, Green spent the second half of last season wondering where he'd be in 2009. He was a potential player to be named in the C.C. Sabathia trade with the Indians, who ultimately opted to take Brantley. Green missed the last three weeks of the regular season after a pitch hit him on the left wrist, then had his nose broken by a bad-hop grounder in the AFL. His tools aren't overly impressive, but Green has good instincts and a feel for the game. As one scout put it, "He's just a baseball player." Though not big in stature, he has good balance and bat speed and generates decent power. He has a good eye at the plate and makes consistent contact. He draws high marks for his makeup and work ethic. Taylor doesn't have the power associated with third base. He'd profile better offensively at second base, but he may lack the quickness for the position. He's a below-average runner with decent range and a merely adequate arm at the hot corner. Green played second base earlier in his career, but the Brewers seem committed to keeping him at third. He has a better chance of sticking at third base than Gamel, and he'll move up to Double-A in 2009.
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  Ranked Milwaukee Brewers #17 prospect in 2008
  After the Brewers drafted Green out of Cypress (Calif.) JC in 2005, he returned for his sophomore season and signed as draft-and-follow after improving tremendously. Limited by a foot injury during his 2006 pro debut, he broke out in 2007 and Milwaukee named him its minor league player of the year. His tools aren't impressive, but he has great instincts and knows how to play the game. His maturity and work ethic rate highly. Green has good plate discipline, works the count and takes walks if he doesn't get his pitch. He drives the ball well to the gaps but projects to have average power at best. His speed is slightly below average, and his range and arm strength at third base are just adequate. But as farm director Reid Nichols says, "He catches it and throws it and the guy is out. That's the bottom line." Originally drafted as a second baseman, Green has a Ron Cey-like build and handles himself decently around the bag. He'll have to prove he can stick at third base and hit for the power desired at that position, but he's off to a good start and will advance to high Class A this year.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked Florida State League #16 prospect in 2008
  The Brewers' 2007 minor league player of the year, Green spent much of this summer in limbo. On the list of potential players-to-be-named that the Indians can choose to conclude the Matt LaPorta trade, Green is rumored to be Cleveland's preference. But the Indians have yet to make a decision, so Green remained in Brevard County all year. Green's tools aren't particularly flashy, but he has a very good feel for the game and an all-out approach. Though he's just 5-foot-10 and 180 pounds, Green uses a slightly open stance with good hip turn that allows him to generate average power. He works counts and rarely is fooled into chasing pitches. In his second season as a third baseman, Green has become an average defender. The converted second baseman's arm is a tick below average, but he makes all the plays and shows adequate lateral movement.

• December, 2011 Scouting Report
  Background: Green was the Brewers' minor league player of the year in 2007 and was on the list of potential players to be named later in the C.C. Sabathia trade the following year. His career took a downturn after he had surgery on his left wrist in January 2009, costing him half of that season and continued to affect his swing in 2010. He got back on track in 2011, earning Triple-A Pacific Coast League all-star honors, his second organization player of the year award and his first big league callup. Scouting Report: Green has a compact swing, an all-fields approach and solid power. He makes consistent contact and draws his share of walks. Much of his value lies in his bat, because he's a below-average runner with only adequate defensive skills. He doesn't have great range or a fantastic arm at third base, and lacks the quickness desired at second base, but his reliable hands and good instincts allow him to make routine plays. The Future: After getting left off the Brewers' 40-man roster after the 2010 season, Green went from Double-A on Opening Day to the National League Championship Series in October. A strong performance in spring training could push him into Milwaukee's lineup.