Milwaukee Brewers Prospects: #8 Tyrone Taylor

Outfielder Tyrone Taylor was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 2nd round of the 2012 MLB June Draft out of Torrance HS in California. The right-handed hitter split time his first professional season between Helena (Pioneer) and the Brewers Arizona League entry and was lights out at both stops.

For the year, Taylor had an OPS of 1.100 in 83 trips to the plate. He banged out 14 extra-base hits among his 29 hits, for an impressive slugging average of .667 on the year.

The following season, Taylor played at Wisconsin in the Midwest League and performed well for someone two years younger than league average. In 122 games, Taylor had a slash line of .274/.338/.400 in 549 trips to the plate. He smacked 33 doubles, which tied him for fifth in the league with a player you might have heard of–Carlos Correa. He also pilfered 19 bases, although he was caught eight times.

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The solid season earned Taylor a promotion to Brevard County (High A) to start the 2014 campaign. He did well there, with a season that closely mirrored the previous year (.278/.331/.396) and earned a cup of coffee with AA Huntsville. In five games in the Southern League, Taylor struggled for the first time, going 1-for-13 in minimal action.

Taylor spent the late fall/early winter playing in the Arizona Fall League, posting numbers that were solid but not spectacular (.271/.315/.306).

He spent the entire 2015 season at AA Biloxi and once again had a decent year, but nothing to write home about. His slash line (.260/.312/.337) was his worst in four seasons in the minors, and as such, dropped down in the organizational rankings. At one point he was the Brewers #2 prospect, but now he is likely to be close to slipping out of the top 10–we rank him 8th.

Taylor was a running back in high school and has a lanky physique (6-0, 185) that allows him to flash above-average speed, but his power is below-average. He projects out to be a 10 HR guy, at best.

If he can improve his hitting for average, he could be a solid .275 hitter in the bigs with the capabilities of stealing 20 bags a year. He doesn’t walk a lot (6.5%), but he doesn’t strike out a lot, either (11%).

Taylor has been playing mostly center field, but some pundits think he would be better suited for a corner spot, despite the lack of power. His arm is average at best–think Khris Davis or slightly better.

Tyrone Taylor is still a solid prospect and I would guess he will start the season at AAA Colorado Springs. He might come up to Milwaukee for a cup of Joe later this year, but should be given a chance to make the big league club in 2017.