Michael Taylor signed a one-year $1.95M deal with a rebuilding Chicago White Sox team coming off a 121-loss season, the worst in MLB history. He brings World Series experience and veteran leadership to a young clubhouse that has once again got off to a rough start at 18-41.
The 2019 Washington Nationals started off 19-31, and Taylor, who played on that World Series team, knows the importance of forgetting about the past and establishing good habits in order to build a winning culture on the Southside.
“I think coming into this year, there was an emphasis on turning the page for the guys that were here last year. Didn’t get off to a great start this year, but in my eyes, there’s still so much baseball left, and I think if we focus on the little things and play the game the right way, we have enough talent–enough here to win ball games,” he said. “So just continuing to press on that and just pay attention to the little things that might get away from you in a long season, and I think the rest will take care of itself.”
Michael Taylor Has 12.5 WAR In 10 Years Of Service
Taylor has achieved the holy grail for a player in MLB this season, reaching 10 years of service with the Washington Nationals, Kansas City Royals, Minnesota Twins, and Pittsburgh Pirates. He’s amassed 102 homers, 126 steals and almost 800 hits in his career.
After being drafted as a shortstop by the Washington Nationals in the sixth round of the 2009 MLB Draft, Michael A. Taylor was converted to an outfielder. He rose through the team’s farm system to become a top-five prospect in the organization and has spent the majority of his time in the field out in center.
Taylor made his debut in August 2014 and has since played in parts of 12 big league seasons, accruing 12.5 WAR in over nine years of service time in his career. He was a member of the 2019 World Champion Nationals that defeated the Houston Astros in seven games. It was an unforgettable moment for Taylor to win it all with the team that drafted and developed him.
“Getting drafted by [Washington], and coming up with them, making my debut with them, and then winning the World Series was very special,” Taylor told MLBbro.com. “You know, that was their message from day one, that we were planning to win championships and playing the game accordingly. And then to finally do that, get to experience it was a once in a lifetime thing, and something I’ll never forget.”
Michael Taylor Hits Bro Bomb In Only World Series Plate Appearance
Taylor got a singular at-bat in the Fall Classic and made the most of it. In the ninth inning of Game 2, he barreled a ball 410 feet over the Crawford Boxes in Minute Maid Park. The homer was a cool moment for Taylor but hoisting the Commissioner’s Trophy with his teammates meant more.
“Very special moment. Just to be there and then to be able to get in the game was awesome,” he said. “…But winning it all, I think, was the biggest reward.”
Michael Taylor’s Peak Power Seasons
The outfielder isn’t known for his pop but has posted seasons with considerable power, including a 19-home run year in 2017 where he slugged .486. Taylor also hit 21 homers in his lone season as a Minnesota Twin in 2021. His approach is to square the ball up consistently, and the rest will take care of itself.
“My goal is quality contact. If the ball leaves the yard, it leaves the yard, but I’m trying to barrel up the ball as many times as I can,” he said. “Not necessarily trying to elevate the ball or hit it in the air but just find the center of the barrel.”
Michael Taylor Is A Two-Time Gold Glove Winner
His most elite trait is his defense, accumulating 85 defensive runs saved and 66 outs above average in the majors. Taylor also has 50 career outfield assists, as he possesses a strong arm that regularly racks up throws around 90 miles per hour. He was at his peak in centerfield in 2021, posting 19 defensive runs saved, 17 outs above average, and 11 outfield assists, earning Taylor his first Gold Glove and a Fielding Bible award.
This year, he has two defensive runs saved and outs above average apiece. He puts maximum effort into the defensive side of the ball, and making a big play with the glove is just as impactful as a huge hit for Taylor.
“I definitely take pride in my defense. As a converted infielder, once I moved to the outfield, I really dedicated myself to the craft and wanted to be the best I could in the outfield, and just being able to help the team in any way I can,” he said. “You know, making a great play for your pitchers is a great feeling. I mean, for me, it’s up there with hitting a home run…”
Saving Zach Greinke’s Bacon
Taylor’s favorite defensive play of his career was when he was a Kansas City Royal in 2022. At Busch Stadium, Taylor planted his right foot into the left-centerfield wall and leapt over it to take a home run away from St. Louis Cardinal Andrew Knizner. The acrobatic play was huge for Taylor, but the reaction by his pitcher Zack Greinke made it even more memorable.
“I think that’s one of my favorite parts of that play, is just [Greinke’s] reaction. And knowing Zack, he doesn’t get too, too excited, but he was pretty pumped about that. So that made it even better for me.”
