The Mets have received LHP Blake Taylor from the Pittsburgh Pirates as the player to be named later in the April Ike Davis trade. Taylor was the second-round pick of the Pirates in the 2013 MLB Draft, and was ranked as a top 40 draft prospect by ESPN’s Keith Law leading up to the draft.
Here’s what Fangraphs’ JD Sussman had to say about Taylor when he speculated that he could be an option as the player to be named:
“During the past off season, Taylor was unranked in Marc Hulet’s Pittsburgh Pirates top 10 because their system was so deep. Taylor was drafted in the second round last June, 51st overall and made a brief debut in the Gulf Coast League (GCL). He stands 6-foot-3 and, as you can see in the video below, was well developed as a high school senior a year-and-a-half ago. The California native features a sinking low-90s fastball that could add velocity as he matures. His curve ball is considered his best offering. Released from his high, three-quarter delivery, his curve has a 1/7 shape but lacks consistent tight rotation. Taylor, like most pitchers his age, needs repetitions to develop.”
Taylor is just 18 years old, and will report to the GCL Mets.
He was ranked #19 in the Pirates system by John Sickels, who graded him a C+, and #20 by Baseball America and MLB.
I’m pretty excited they got Taylor. There was lots of speculation it was going to be the 8th-round pick, so the fact they got a 2nd rounder — one they gave a $750K bonus to, is really good.
He’s a long way away but I give this a thumbs up.
I’m very happy with this return. I was a bit concerned when the media was speculating that it was the 8th rounder. This is about as good a return as you could have hoped for with Davis. It basically replaces the second rounder they didn’t have this year to boot!
“He’s a long way away…”
The classic Alderson calling card.
I see it as: “this turd blossom is gonna be someone else’s disaster to deal with.”
Nevertheless, a second rounder is good value.
I’m ecstatic … I had heard it was Kosolowski (not sure about that spelling). But getting a Second round LHP is superb! Way to go Mets.
I am typically not impressed with magic beans.
This particular magic bean, at 17 years of age, pitched to other players that likewise earned a paycheck to hit the ball. They produced five singles and two doubles in 67 official at bats.
On average, those guys with bats were around 21 years old. That’s a pretty good bean.
Any idea if he projects as a starter, reliever, or too early to tell?