Scouting Report

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Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 55 | Slider: 55 | Cutter: 60 | Control: 50 | Overall: 45 

Taylor is following in the footsteps of Cole Henry, who went from Florence (Ala.) HS to Louisiana State and became a second-round pick as a sophomore (Nationals, 2020). After battling his control as a reliever last spring, Taylor impressed as a starter in the Cape Cod League and showed the potential to sneak into the late first round if he continued to develop. Then he injured his elbow in an intrasquad game in February and required Tommy John surgery that will sideline him for the remainder of 2023.

Coming out of the bullpen, Taylor relied heavily on a 93-95 mph fastball that reaches 99 with late hop at its best, though it can straighten out at times. He has maintained that velocity as a starter and developed a sharp low-90s cutter to give himself a second plus pitch. He also employs a downer curveball that parks around 80 mph and a tight mid-80s slider, both of which can be solid offerings. 

Taylor threw just four changeups in 52 innings between LSU and the Cape in 2022, and he'll need to come up with a cambio to remain a starter in pro ball. He cut his walk rate from 6.1 per nine innings as a freshman to 0.9 on the Cape and has continued to throw strikes since. His strong 6-foot-3 build should lend itself to durability and he'd profile as a late-inning option if he winds up in the bullpen.

Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 55 | Slider: 55 | Cutter: 60 | Control: 45 | Overall: 50

After using their 2022 second-rounder on a Southeastern Conference right-hander who flashed first-round talent before having Tommy John surgery (Peyton Pallette), the White Sox did the same in 2023. Taylor wowed scouts as a starter in the Cape Cod League and during fall practice in 2022 but blew out his elbow in an intrasquad game last February and missed Louisiana State's championship season. Signed for $1,659,800 as a sophomore-eligible, he made his pro debut in May and showed that he had regained his premium stuff until he was shut down a month later with a right lat strain.

Taylor's fastball operates at 93-95 mph and tops out at 99 with late hop when it's on, though it can straighten out and get hit when it's not. His sharp low-90s cutter serves as a second plus pitch and he spins a pair of solid breaking balls, a downer curveball that sits around 80 mph and a tight mid-80s slider. He threw just four changeups in 52 innings between LSU and the Cape in 2022, so he'll need to work on it if he's to remain a starter. 

After walking 22 batters in 31 innings as a freshman reliever, he issued just two free passes in 21 frames on the Cape and continued to throw strikes before his elbow gave out. There's some effort to his delivery, so it remains to be seen whether he can maintain his improved control over a longer period. He has the upside of a mid-rotation starter and also a decent amount of reliever risk, albeit with the stuff to play a high-leverage role in the bullpen.  

Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 55 | Slider: 55 | Cutter: 60 | Control: 50 | Overall: 45 

After battling his control as a reliever in 2022, Taylor impressed as a starter in the Cape Cod League and during fall practice, showing the potential to sneak into the first round if he continued to develop. Then he injured his elbow in an intrasquad game in February and required Tommy John surgery that sidelined him for Louisiana State's College World Series run. A year after taking another Southeastern Conference right-hander coming off elbow reconstruction (Peyton Pallette) in the second round, the White Sox did so again and signed Taylor for $1,659,800. 

Coming out of the bullpen, Taylor relied heavily on a 93-95 mph fastball that reaches 99 with late hop at its best, though it can straighten out at times. He maintained that velocity as a starter and developed a sharp low-90s cutter to give himself a second plus pitch. He also employs a downer curveball that parks around 80 mph and a tight mid-80s slider, both of which can be solid offerings.  

Taylor threw just four changeups in 52 innings between LSU and the Cape in 2022, and he'll need to come up with a cambio to succeed as a starter in pro ball. He cut his walk rate from 6.1 per nine innings as a freshman to 0.9 on the Cape and continued to throw strikes last fall. His strong 6-foot-3 build should lend itself to durability and he'd profile as a late-inning option if he winds up in the bullpen. 

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	06/16/2024	Kannapolis Cannon Ballers transferred RHP Grant Taylor from the 7-day injured list to the 60-day injured list.
	06/12/2024	Kannapolis Cannon Ballers placed RHP Grant Taylor on the 7-day injured list.
	05/13/2024	RHP Grant Taylor assigned to Kannapolis Cannon Ballers from ACL White Sox.
	11/06/2023	ACL White Sox activated RHP Grant Taylor from the full-season injured list.
	11/06/2023	ACL White Sox activated RHP Grant Taylor.
	07/21/2023	RHP Grant Taylor assigned to ACL White Sox.
	07/16/2023	Chicago White Sox signed RHP Grant Taylor.
	03/01/2022	RHP Grant Taylor and assigned to Louisiana State Tigers.
	06/16/2020	RHP Grant Taylor assigned to PG National 3 - Gold.
	06/16/2020	RHP Grant Taylor assigned to PG National 3 - Gold.
	07/23/2019	RHP Grant Taylor assigned to 17U National Team Development Program.