16 Days Until Spring Training!
A few weeks ago we discussed the importance of the Tankersley signing for memorable facial hair on the team, but we didn't really get into who Taylor is, or the merits he brings as a non-roster invitee to camp this year.
Taylor was a very good player in high school (Vicksburgh, Mississippi) and had success in college (three years at the University of Alabama). His strengths and talents were the reasons why the Marlins selected him in the first round of the 2004 draft. He made his debut when he was 23 years old in what was his best season as a pitcher in the majors recording a 2-1 record and a 2.85 ERA in 49 games and 41 innings pitched. His second season wasn't as good as his first, but was still pretty good with a 3.99 ERA (also as a side note, in his second season he had a 6-1 record, which is fantastic for a reliever, you normally don't think of a reliever picking up that many wins or having that type of spread of wins and losses in a season). From 2008 on he has been bounced around the Marlins organization levels as he struggles with various arm injuries.
Last season in the minors he posted a 3.42 ERA in 26.1 innings of work while striking out 22 batters in the AAA level. The Mets are looking for Taylor to factor in at the battle to be left handed specialist (ie Feliciano's replacement). He will be 28 this upcoming season, and could be a valuable part of the Mets and at least adds an interesting piece of depth to the roster.
