Hey!! Don’t Sleep On MLBbro Michael Taylor | The Royals Are A Good Fit

Hey!! Don’t Sleep On MLBbro Michael Taylor | The Royals Are A Good Fit

by | May 29, 2021 | THE LEAD OFF

Kansas City Royals outfielder Michael Taylor is in his eighth MLB season and his path to the big leagues is a motivating one.

This is Taylor’s first season with the Royals and it’s safe to say Taylor may have found a home in Kansas City.

Our MLB bro started the 2021 season with a seven-game hitting streak and in his debut with the Royals, he went 3-for-5 with a home run and three RBI.

 

Not only was he on fire at the plate in his Royals’ debut, but he got it done in the field as well. He threw out a runner at the plate to show that he can do it all.

That’s how you make an introduction to your new team right there.

The 2020 shortened season was not a pleasant one for Taylor as he finished with a .196 batting average in 38 games with the Washington Nationals. 

So Taylor was on a mission when the 2021 season started. Not only did he want to have a better start than the previous year, but he was on a new team and wanted to show that he can make an impact on the Royals.

 

 

After that hot start to the season, Taylor cooled off at the plate. There was a period in April where he was hitless in four straight games, but quickly turned that around and went on a six-game hitting streak. 

One thing Taylor knows how to do is put the bat on the ball and he can run too. Through 44 games, Taylor has four stolen bases and is Top 50 in the league in that category.

His style of play fits the Royals well. He’s a threat on the bases, can man the outfield and chase balls down, and he can hit, too. 

Now the Royals are one of the top teams in the league when it comes to stealing bases. According to ESPN, through 48 games, the team has a total of 36 stolen bases, which is second in the league. 

This team likes to run and Taylor fits right in. The most stolen bases Taylor had in a season were 24 and that came in 2018 during his tenure with the Nationals, which ended with Taylor being a huge contributor to a WS championship. 

 

 

From 2015 to 2018, Taylor stole more than 13 bases each season. He started his career with the Nationals, who drafted him in the sixth round of the 2009 MLB draft.

Taylor actually started his career off as a middle infielder, but an injury transitioned him to the outfield, where he would make his new primary position.

After the end of the 2013 season, Taylor was added to the Nationals’ 40-man roster. At that time, he was ranked the fourth-best prospect in the Nationals’ organization by MLB Pipeline. He went on to make his MLB debut during the 2014 season.

His best season statistically came in 2017 when he hit .271 with 19 home runs and had a .486 slugging percentage.

 

 

Two seasons later, Taylor was a part of the Nationals when they won their first World Series title in franchise history.

Taylor is a winner and he’s looking to bring that winning mentality back to Kansas City, a team that won the World Series in 2015.

Lately, Taylor has seemed confident at the plate. From May 16 to May 22, he went on a five-game hitting streak. Currently, he’s hitting .263 with two home runs in his last seven games.

 

 

Taylor’s abilities can certainly help the Royals make a push for the postseason playing in the AL Central. He has a lot of experience and knows what it takes to win. So make sure you keep a close eye on Taylor this season.