Reggie Taylor

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Philadelphia Phillies #30 prospect in 2002
  Taylor's tools kept him on the club's Top 10 Prospects list for six straight seasons, but his performance rarely matched the hype. Injuries have hampered his progress in three of the last four seasons. He entered 2001 with a chance to put pressure on incumbent center fielder Doug Glanville, but he severely sprained an ankle two games into the season and wasn't healthy until May. His batting average didn't climb above .200 until mid-June. Taylor is the most athletic player in the organization. His strong arm and excellent range give him above-average major league defensive skills. His lack of plate discipline and his inability to make adjustments at the plate have prevented him from reaching his potential. Entering his eighth season in the organization, he still isn't ready for Philadelphia. Taylor's name keeps surfacing in trade rumors, and a change of scenery could be beneficial. He may never be more than an extra outfielder in the majors.
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  Ranked Philadelphia Phillies #7 prospect in 2001
  Taylor has made the top 10 six straight years since being drafted in the first round. A separated shoulder in the Venezuelan League nearly derailed his 2000 season, but to his credit he battled back to return by the end of May. He still had time to show off his five-tool potential and tie a career-high in home runs. Some scouts believe Taylor would be among the best defensive center fielders in the majors right now. He can close the gaps with impressive bursts of speed, while his powerful throwing arm cuts down runners with its strength and accuracy. He generates above-average pop with a quick bat and his wiry athletic strength. Considered a raw athlete six years ago, Taylor has yet to shed that label. His lack of concern for working counts is the key factor holding him back. A career .296 on-base percentage is a major concern, no matter how impressive his tools may be. Taylor is the most athletic player in the system, bar none, but the perennial top prospect is entering a pivotal season. He showed steady improvement in Venezuela this winter.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked International League #8 prospect in 2000
  Like Wells did a year ago, Taylor stood out this season as the IL's premier five-tool player. "He may be the best player in the league," Rochester manager Marv Foley said. Not bad for a guy who was supposed to miss the first three or four months after dislocating his left shoulder in winter ball. Instead, Taylor made it back before the end of May. As a Triple-A rookie, he held his own as a hitter and hit for occasional power. Meanwhile, he displayed Jim Edmonds-like range in center field and an accurate, above-average arm. "He can do a whole lot of good things," Ezell said. "He's very impressive defensively, offensively and on the bases." Taylor still has a lot of room for improvement, particularly at the plate and on the bases. He needs to show more patience and develop a better plan on how to attack pitchers. He also needs to refine his baserunning. With Pat Burrell, Doug Glanville and Bobby Abreu set in the Phillies' outfield, Taylor should be able to get the extra seasoning he needs in Triple-A next year.

• December, 2001 Scouting Report
  Taylor's tools kept him on the club's Top 10 Prospects list for six straight seasons, but his performance rarely matched the hype. Injuries have hampered his progress in three of the last four seasons. He entered 2001 with a chance to put pressure on incumbent center fielder Doug Glanville, but he severely sprained an ankle two games into the season and wasn't healthy until May. His batting average didn't climb above .200 until mid-June. Taylor is the most athletic player in the organization. His strong arm and excellent range give him above-average major league defensive skills. His lack of plate discipline and his inability to make adjustments at the plate have prevented him from reaching his potential. Entering his eighth season in the organization, he still isn't ready for Philadelphia. Taylor's name keeps surfacing in trade rumors, and a change of scenery could be beneficial. He may never be more than an extra outfielder in the majors.
• December, 1999 Scouting Report
  Like Wells did a year ago, Taylor stood out this season as the IL's premier five-tool player. "He may be the best player in the league," Rochester manager Marv Foley said. Not bad for a guy who was supposed to miss the first three or four months after dislocating his left shoulder in winter ball. Instead, Taylor made it back before the end of May. As a Triple-A rookie, he held his own as a hitter and hit for occasional power. Meanwhile, he displayed Jim Edmonds-like range in center field and an accurate, above-average arm. "He can do a whole lot of good things," Ezell said. "He's very impressive defensively, offensively and on the bases." Taylor still has a lot of room for improvement, particularly at the plate and on the bases. He needs to show more patience and develop a better plan on how to attack pitchers. He also needs to refine his baserunning. With Pat Burrell, Doug Glanville and Bobby Abreu set in the Phillies' outfield, Taylor should be able to get the extra seasoning he needs in Triple-A next year.