Scouting Report

Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 60 | Run: 45 | Arm: 45 | Field: 45 | Overall: 45

After shining with the bat as an All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection in each of his three seasons at Indiana, Taylor, who set the school's career home run record with 54, then followed that up with a strong showing in the Cape Cod League, was drafted by the A’s in 2025 as a second-round pick and signed over slot with a bonus of $2.5 million. Getting his professional career started at Single-A Stockton shortly after, he flashed some of that pop by hitting .264 with six home runs and five doubles in 28 games, making a solid first impression.

Taylor has the tools to become a plus hitter for both average and power with a good feel for the zone. He’s very disciplined during his batting practice and sprays the ball around the field. Once game time rolls around, the power shows up, hitting the ball extremely hard and driving it out to all fields. There is some tendency to chase that he will need to cut down on, but the A’s see a hitter who also happens to bring a ton of power.

Defense is a clear point of improvement for Taylor. His speed, arm strength and defensive instincts are lacking in the outfield, and some of that may have been due to limited practice on a regular basis in college. The A’s see some things they can clean up with his footwork and arm, and will work with him on improving that aspect of his game with the belief that he can become at least an average defender, likely in a corner outfield spot. But it’s the bat that has the organization extremely excited for his first full year of pro ball, and it will determine his ability to rise through the system.

Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 60 | Run: 45 | Arm: 45 | Field: 45 | Overall: 45

Though Taylor was the best offensive prospect in Ohio's 2022 high school class, his game wasn't well-rounded enough for teams to try to draft him away from an Indiana commitment. He earned All-Big Ten Conference first-team honors in each of his three seasons and set the school career home run record with 54. He made a brief appearance with the U.S. Collegiate National team last summer before continuing to perform well with wood bats in the Cape Cod League. His 1.200 OPS as a junior with the Hoosiers led to him landing with the A’s in the second round, signing for a slightly over-slot bonus of $2.5 million before starting his professional career with Single-A Stockton.

Taylor shows the potential to become a plus hitter in terms of both average and power while controlling the strike zone. A left-handed hitter with plenty of bat speed and strength, he hits the ball extremely hard and generates power to all fields. He likes to swing the bat but has cut down on his chases this spring. He makes consistent contact and has no problems handling breaking pitches.

The majority of Taylor's value will come from his offensive production. His speed, arm strength and defensive instincts all grade as fringy, which will limit him to a corner outfield spot in pro ball.

Video scouting report »

Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 60 | Run: 45 | Arm: 45 | Field: 45 | Overall: 50

Though Taylor was the best offensive prospect in Ohio's 2022 high school class, his game wasn't well-rounded enough to try to draft him away from an Indiana commitment. He earned All-Big Ten Conference first-team honors in each of his three seasons and set the school career home run record with 54. He made a brief appearance with the U.S. collegiate national team last summer before continuing to perform well with wood bats in the Cape Cod League.

Taylor shows the potential to become a plus hitter in terms of both average and power while controlling the strike zone. A left-handed hitter with plenty of bat speed and strength, he hits the ball extremely hard and generates power to all fields. He likes to swing the bat but has cut down on his chases this spring, makes consistent contact and has no problems handling breaking pitches.

The majority of Taylor's value will come from his offensive production. His speed, arm strength and defensive instincts all grade as fringy. Indiana may try him in center field this spring but he's definitely a left fielder in pro ball.

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	03/05/2026	OF Devin Taylor assigned to Athletics Prospects.
	02/21/2026	OF Devin Taylor assigned to Athletics.
	08/04/2025	OF Devin Taylor assigned to Stockton Ports from ACL Athletics.
	08/04/2025	ACL Athletics activated OF Devin Taylor.
	07/23/2025	Athletics signed OF Devin Taylor.
	07/23/2025	OF Devin Taylor assigned to ACL Athletics.
	06/03/2025	OF Devin Taylor assigned to College Workout.
	01/24/2025	OF Devin Taylor assigned to Indiana Hoosiers.
	04/03/2024	OF Devin Taylor assigned to Cotuit Kettleers.