Taylor Motter

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Seattle Mariners #27 prospect in 2017
  Motter partnered with Tommy La Stella in the middle of Coastal Carolina's infield in college before the Rays signed him as a junior. They moved him all over the diamond defensively, moving him into a utility role, and he started coming into his power when he got to Double-A. Added to the 40-man roster after a boffo 2015 that included 43 doubles with Triple-A Durham, Motter flopped in 2016, even though he made his major league debut. Tampa traded him and Richie Shaffer to the Mariners in a November deal for non-40-man righties Andrew Kittredge and Dylan Thompson and first baseman Dalton Kelly. Motter's athleticism and versatility are his best traits. He has a plus arm that plays on the left side of the infield or in right field, and the above-average speed to play up the middle. Motter has average power but his swing and approach get too big. Always noted for playing with some flair, Motter had scouts questioned his effort in 2016. That won't fly if he wants to seize a big league utility spot in 2017.
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  Ranked Tampa Bay Rays #21 prospect in 2016
  Motter was a three-year starter at Coastal Carolina on teams that included future big leaguers Tommy La Stella, Rico Noel and Keith Hessler. He has steadily progressed through the minors since falling to the Rays in the 17th round of the 2011 draft. As a pro, Motter has played every position except catcher, and some scouts think he could be an adequate or better defender at every position thanks to his athleticism and plus throwing arm. He even plays shortstop (his college position) and center field when needed, including in winter ball in the Dominican Republic. Offensively, Motter has a sound approach and a good understanding of the strike zone. His average raw power translated to game action in 2015, when he slammed 58 extra-base hits for Triple-A Durham. He also has usable speed, grading out as an above-average runner. The Rays added him to the 40-man roster this offseason, with his versatility the clearest path to a big league role. Motter will compete for a bench role in 2016, though he could spend significant time back at Durham.

• December, 2015 Scouting Report
  Motter was a three-year starter at Coastal Carolina on teams that included future big leaguers Tommy La Stella, Rico Noel and Keith Hessler. He has steadily progressed through the minors since falling to the Rays in the 17th round of the 2011 draft. As a pro, Motter has played every position except catcher, and some scouts think he could be an adequate or better defender at every position thanks to his athleticism and plus throwing arm. He even plays shortstop (his college position) and center field when needed, including in winter ball in the Dominican Republic. Offensively, Motter has a sound approach and a good understanding of the strike zone. His average raw power translated to game action in 2015, when he slammed 58 extra-base hits for Triple-A Durham. He also has usable speed, grading out as an above-average runner. The Rays added him to the 40-man roster this offseason, with his versatility the clearest path to a big league role. Motter will compete for a bench role in 2016, though he could spend significant time back at Durham.