Welcome to the Pittsburgh Pirates - Michael Taylor

The Pittsburgh Pirates have signed 32-year-old centerfielder Michael Taylor to a one-year $4MM dollar deal. Taylor was drafted in the 6th round of the 2009 Major League Draft by the Washington Nationals and finally made it to the Major Leagues in 2014. He hit .205 in 39 at bats for the Nats and played parts of 7 seasons in Washington, with his best season coming in 2017 when he hit .271 with 19 homers and 17 stolen bases. 

Taylor signed with the Kansas City Royals as a free agent in 2020 and was the starting center fielder for two seasons where he hit .249 with 21 homers for the Royals. During the off-season in 2023 the Royals traded Taylor to the Minnesota Twins for two minor league pitchers where he set a career high in home runs, smashing 21 during that campaign. After the season, he entered free agency where he was signed on March 16th by the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Taylor will add depth to the Buc's outfield. Outfielder Jack Suwinski hit 26 homers in 2023 but his defense in center field was below average. Taylor could be used in a platoon with Suwinski, who only hit .200 with 55 strikeouts in 115 at bats against left handers. The Pirates could also move Suwinski to right field and use Taylor’s glove on a daily basis in center field. 

As a player, Taylor has the speed to cover a lot of ground and will get to balls that the other Pirates outfielders cannot reach. His speed will help on the base paths, adding stolen bases and stretching singles into doubles.

At the plate, Taylor has some pop to his swing but struggles with strikeouts and recognizing off-speed pitches. If Pittsburgh can get .240 with 15-20 homers to accompany his stellar defensive contributions, it should serve as an upgrade in 2024. At one year and only $4MM dollars, Taylor could be well worth the signing in terms of the runs he will save on defense. 

Draft Nation News- 6th round pick by the Washington Nationals in the 2009 MLB Draft.