Drafted in the 7th round (209th overall) by the New York Mets in 2015 (signed for $20,000).
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A thick 6-foot-1, 250-pound righthander with an above-average 91-95 mph fastball, Taylor had a dominating senior year, going 4-0, 0.31 with a pair of saves. Taylor keeps the ball in the park and is a senior sign with some ability who projects as a reliever.
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Taylor recorded a 0.31 ERA as a reliever at Texas Tech in 2015, the same year the Mets made him a seventh-round pick and signed the senior for $20,000. He proved to be more than a bargain sign in 2016, when he jumped to high Class A St. Lucie and ranked second in the Florida State League with 20 saves, then earned a spot in the Arizona Fall League. Taylor opened eyes in the AFL by averaging 97 mph with his heavy, sinking fastball that functions as an extreme groundball pitch. His 86 mph slider features occasional above-average vertical break and generates swings and misses because batters are keyed for his fastball. Taylor lacks a usable changeup but has average control overall and keeps the ball in the park. He relies on arm speed rather than an athletic delivery and lacks fine command. A thickset, 5-foot-11 righthander, Taylor has a future in a major league bullpen based on the strength of his two primary pitches. That the Mets assigned him to the AFL after just two years in pro ball underscores his proximity to New York.
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