Michael Taylor -- OF – Washington Nationals
Height: 6'3" Weight: 210 lbs. -- Hits: Right Throws: Right
2014 Stats (AA & AAA) – .304/.390/.526, 23 HR, 64 RBI, 81 Runs, 37 Steals
Scouting Report
Michael Taylor has come a long way since being drafted as a defensive minded shortstop in the 6th round of the 2009 amateur draft. After platooning around the infield in 2010, Taylor found his niche in centerfield and quickly became one of the best defensive outfield prospects in all of baseball. Scouts absolutely rave about his ability to move around and track flyballs in the outfield. He also has a very strong arm that easily can keep runners from advancing.
The problem with Taylor has always been his bat. Until last year’s breakout at double-A Harrisburg, he was thought of as a slap hitting speedster who needed to hit the ball on the ground to be successful. But while playing in the Puerto Rican Winter League in 2013, he made some adjustments that would change his outlook considerably. He widened his stance in order to keep his lower half balanced. This change along with the lowering of his hands allowed him to identify pitches coming into the zone longer and produced a lot more power off of his bat. Taylor took this approach to double-A and absolutely stunned the organization with his 24 HR display through three different levels including his first big league homerun in his first major league game.
Taylor’s speed is his second best skill next to his defense in centerfield. He is a big guy who runs with incredible fluid and grace even on the basepaths. Some scouts believe that he is polished enough as a base stealer that he could regularly swipe 30+ at the big league level but I have some concerns about that. While Taylor is fast, it takes him awhile to get up to full speed, which hinders his net steals potential.
The Nationals organization loves Taylor’s personality and makeup. He is a military kid who has traveled the world and has a ton of life experience despite his age. He’s an aggressive worker, which is the main reason he has been able to make such dramatic improvements in his game over the past few years. He is going to have to cut down on the strikeouts and put the ball in play more than he has shown in order to be an everyday player at the major league level. But if his power remains, there is a very good chance that he will be the Nationals starting centerfielder for years to come.
2015 Analysis
The compounding injuries to Denard Span have opened the door for Michael Taylor’s ascension to Washington. Taylor is so good defensively that he was a legitimate threat to Span’s job anyways, but if he can get on base and hit for even half of the power he showed last season, he will be the Nationals starting centerfielder for years to come.
While he has made tremendous progress at the plate, Taylor has to cut down on the strikeouts and make more contact, which is a staple of Denard Span. There are many comparisons to make to Michael Taylor including players like Chris Young and Drew Stubbs who have carved out decent major league careers.
Taylor will begin the season in the Nationals everyday lineup that is almost certain at this point. The truth will come when and if Denard Span is ready to return to the top of the lineup. Now that could be quite awhile before that happens and thus, Taylor is a good late round draft pick in fantasy baseball this year. When Span returns, the Nats could decide to send Taylor back down to triple-A so that he can play everyday. Or they could keep him up with the big league club as a defensive replacement, pinch runner and right handed power off of the bench. With the constant injuries to the entire outfield in Washington, (Bryce Harper, Jayson Werth, Denard Span & Nate McClouth) there is a better than average chance that Taylor will wind up being a full time player all season long. If that is the case, this late round pick could wind up being a massive boost to whoever drafts him.
Compare To
Melvin Upton – Call him B.J. or Melvin or whatever but when he was coming up in the Rays organization, we had very similar hope for Upton as we now to for young Michael Taylor here. I would call Taylor B.J. Upton before the shoulder issues zapped away his power.
Mike Cameron – Very similar body types and batting styles especially when you consider the power/speed combo of both Taylor and Cameron.
Current ADP
Taylor has an average draft position of 418.07 according to the National Fantasy Baseball Championship (NFBC).
He was drafted in the 22nd round (329th overall) in the F.S.T.A. Fantasy Baseball League Draft in January.
Taylor is currently the 95th ranked outfielder in the 2015 Fantasy Alarm Fantasy Baseball Draft Guide.
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