Michael Taylor Q/A at Baseball America

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Check it. Its pretty standard, but he does give some thoughtful replies. I liked this answer though;

BA: What kind of approach do you like to take to the plate for every at-bat?

MT: I try to have a plan for every single at-bat for every single pitch. I’m not saying it always works out, but I feel like the less at-bats I give away over the course of a 500 AB season, if I give away 50, I may not scrape out 15, 20 more hits, and that’s the difference between hitting .275 and .300. For me, I try to go up there, take every pitch, have my plan—and I know we’re not supposed to be stepping out—but just to clear my head, take what happened and just get my new plan for that next pitch. If I do that, I feel that I have a chance to be successful with my approach.

29 thoughts on “Michael Taylor Q/A at Baseball America”

  1. Wow, a guy with a plan! Maybe he can have a chat with Hackin’ Howard someday. Gotta keep an eye on those Stanford guys. They’re better than you think. I remember Keith Law saying Jed Lowrie couldn’t play SS and will have to be moved off the position. Now he’s a regualr major league SS and has 0 errors.
    Taylor be a positive jolt to the system if he could continue hitting at AA next year and show power, like maybe 20 homers and/or a slew of doubles. Good right-handed power bats seem to me to be in short supply these days, especially at low cost.

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  2. Yeah, he sounds like a hard worker and like he brings some thought with him to the batter’s box.

    On a different note, I noticed that he said little about how the organization has helped him develop. In fact in the first question, where he had the opportunity to mention the specific things he’s worked on, he was actually pretty vague. Makes me wonder just how hands-on the Phils player development staff is, or if they leave it up to the player to figure it out. Taylor makes it sound sort of like the organization has left it up to him in a lot of ways.

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  3. Stud. It will be a pleasure to see him and Dominic Brown roaming the corners. Whether its Shane or Golson in the middle, that’s still a very efficient outfield with power, speed, and plus fielding.

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  4. Michael Stutes just stated in a quote that he credited all his sucess to the phillies coaches. That he has learned a lot in the last month.

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  5. I come away impressed with the type of person he is. He sounded like a real professional already.

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  6. Nice little piece.

    Sounds like he has a good head on his shoulders. Well… he did go to Stanford.

    Has anyone seen him in the field? How’s his D?

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  7. BA Hot Sheet Chat:

    Q: Snapper Bean from Greater Kensington asks:
    Is Michael Taylor legit or just an organizational guy given his advanced age?
    A:

    Ben Badler: Taylor’s a legit prospect, but he has plenty to prove, especially with pitch recognition.

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  9. Did anyone notice how much Taylor looks like Howard in that photo? I, like most, have high hopes for this kid. He’s got a spot on big league roster in a couple years if his development keeps pace.

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  10. From my observation, he’s a smart fielder – instead of going for the web gem he tries to keep it in front of him. And yes, the cannon is one of his best assets, its impressive.

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  11. Taylor has the best outfield arm I have seen in my 10+ years at Clearwater in response to “bigptitan123”

    If a runner tries to stretch it from third to home they will be out 100% of the time as long as the catcher makes the play. Taylor will get the ball to home plate on target without a doubt.

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  12. I know it’s not a large sample size but his righty/lefty splits are not what you’d expect. He’s hitting 331 against righties and 184 against lefties.

    I would have guessed he batted lefty by just looking at those splits.

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  15. Nice little piece, and it certainly seems from the part you’ve highlighted that he has a nice approach to hitting.

    Jeff: thanks for the information regarding his arm. If Taylor can stick in right field, it certainly increases his value.

    And finally, regarding what Danny posted above: it sounds like Taylor’s still refining his swing (after switching from the Stanford swing back to his old swing), and after a rough first 10 games in Clearwater, he’s cut down on the strikeouts and increased the walks. So hopefully the questions about his pitch recognition will be answered as he continues to adjust to successive levels.

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  20. wonder if the ML club will have second thoughts about re-signing burrell for a long term (3-5 year deal he’d be likely asking for) considering Taylor’s progression???

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  21. I don’t think Taylor’s progression should affect the Burrell situation b/c Taylor is wasted in LF. He is a RF. He has a great arm.

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  23. taylor sounds good, but i digress. i went to the game last night and charlie has to go. you dont take blanton out with a 1 hitter, put lidge in to a non save situation, and most of all when is this lunatic going to realize you have to bat utley 3rd burrell 4th and howard 5th. if im an opposing manager i just throw lefties at this team every day. charlie can not handle a staff, this is not exactly news but the gug is still an al manager. i cannot wait til the olympics are over so we can have a 3rd baseman, donald and a catcher marson. and please dont tell me you dont put rooks in a pennett race. just check the rosters of other contenders. by the way my theory of rollins leaving grows stronger every day they leave donald at ss.

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  24. He’s still at high A. I agree I think he could be good but don’t get ahead of yourselves. He’ll finish the year at high A (was just moved up) and go to AA next year.

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  25. I guess Taylor will finish the year ar Clearwater but I wouldn’t bet on it. They could move him up just to see how he reacts to the Double AA pitching. Then leave him there next spring. But he is getting older and they will move him as quickly as he proves he can handle.

    You never know but he seems to be back to the Lakewood level.Now lets see if he drops back again when he gets to Reading. Maybe not. Maybe this kid is a keeper. I hope so.

    Joey

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  26. Joey – I think he is a keeper but I think the plan is to start him at AA next year. He just got back into a groove, there’s no point to put him at AA for a short period of time in which he may not be able to adjust. He is old but he is still moving fast.

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  27. A man who speaks the King’s english…well.

    Aside from his playing skills–i.e.,righty power, speed, cannon arm, and intelligent enough to see and follow a day-by-day plan with adjustments along the way.

    Ladies and Gentlemen: We have a CLASS ACT here!!

    Yes…an outfield including Taylor, Brown and Golson(?) Victorino(?) will sure do some ball hawking and sending many via their wooden hammer outta here!!

    Some good drafting, methinks!! Along with some good coaching! Viva La Phillies…………..

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  28. taylor now hasn’t played in 2 days. hadn’t seen but is there a reason for this? don’t tell me all this positive talk has jinxed him???

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