Scouting Report

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Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 55 | Overall: 40

Taylor has been a mainstay in UNC Wilmington's rotation for four years and recorded one of the best seasons in Seahawks history in 2025. The Colonial Athletic Association pitcher of the year, he led NCAA Division I in K/BB ratio (9.6) and WHIP (0.76) and also ranked second in walk rate (1.0 per nine innings) and third in ERA (1.98). One of the top college senior arms available, he should be UNCW's highest-drafted pitcher since supplemental first-rounder Brad Holt in 2008.

Taylor's fastball jumped 3 mph this spring, as he worked at 92-95 mph and touched 98 while maintaining his velocity deep into games and throughout the season. His fastball lacks life but he commands it well and it's difficult to hit when he locates it up in the zone. He does a fine job of killing spin on his low-80s changeup, which fades and sinks and grades as a solid pitch.

While neither Taylor's mid-80s slider nor his low-80s curveball stand out with their spin or shape, they generate a high level of chases and empty swings. He overcomes his lack of size with a drop-and-drive delivery that produces a low release height, flat approach angle and plenty of extension, which combine to make his pitches more difficult for hitters to pick up. He's 23 and pretty much a finished product, but he has a long history of throwing strikes and a high floor as at least a back-of-the-rotation starter.

Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 55 | Cutter: 50 | Control: 55 | Overall: 40

A mainstay in UNC Wilmington’s rotation over his four years there, Taylor produced one of the best seasons in school history as a senior in 2025 by leading NCAA Division I in K/BB ratio (9.6) and WHIP (0.76), while also ranking second in walk rate (1.0 per nine innings) and fourth in ERA (1.98). Entering the 2025 Draft as one of the top senior arms in the class, he was selected in the fifth round by the A’s and signed at a full-slot bonus of $513,900, becoming the highest-drafted pitcher out of UNCW since supplemental first-rounder Bradley Holt in 2008. With Triple-A Las Vegas in need of a starter at the end of the season, Taylor was called upon for his pro debut with a start for a playoff-bound Aviators squad.

Taylor pleasantly surprised the A’s by showing up with a bit more velocity than they expected, working with a fastball that reached up to 98 mph and sat 93-95. His low-80s changeup has good fade and is probably his best secondary pitch right now. He also brings a low-80s curveball, mid-80s cutter and a sweeper he learned shortly after getting drafted. He has good command of all his pitches and was one of the top strike-throwers in all of college baseball.

Taylor is a bit undersized, reminiscent to some within the A’s organization of Sonny Gray in that aspect. He will enter his first full season as a professional as one of the more intriguing A’s pitching prospects, and given that he’s basically a finished product, the potential is there for him to rise quickly through the system and eventually reach the Majors, where he profiles as a back-of-the-rotation starter.

Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 55 | Overall: 40

Taylor was a mainstay in UNC Wilmington's rotation for four years and recorded one of the best seasons in Seahawks history in 2025. The Colonial Athletic Association Pitcher of the Year, he led NCAA Division I in K/BB ratio (9.6) and WHIP (0.76), and also ranked second in walk rate (1.0 per nine innings) and third in ERA (1.98). One of the top college senior arms in the class, he became UNCW's highest-drafted pitcher since supplemental first-rounder Bradley Holt in 2008 when the A’s took him in the fifth round of the 2025 Draft and signed him for a full-slot bonus ($513,900).

Taylor's fastball jumped 3 mph this spring, as he worked at 92-95 mph and touched 98 while maintaining his velocity deep into games and throughout the season. His fastball lacks life but he commands it well and it's difficult to hit when he locates it up in the zone. He does a fine job of killing spin on his low-80s changeup, which fades and sinks and grades as a solid pitch.

While neither Taylor's mid-80s slider nor his low-80s curveball stand out with their spin or shape, they generate a high level of chases and empty swings. He overcomes his lack of size with a drop-and-drive delivery that produces a low release height, flat approach angle and plenty of extension, which combine to make his pitches more difficult for hitters to pick up. He's 23 and pretty much a finished product, but he has a long history of throwing strikes and a high floor as at least a back-of-the-rotation starter.

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	03/25/2026	RHP Zane Taylor assigned to Lansing Lugnuts from Las Vegas Aviators.
	03/05/2026	RHP Zane Taylor assigned to Athletics Prospects.
	02/23/2026	RHP Zane Taylor assigned to Athletics.
	02/23/2026	RHP Zane Taylor roster status changed by Athletics.
	02/23/2026	RHP Zane Taylor roster status changed by Athletics.
	09/19/2025	RHP Zane Taylor assigned to Las Vegas Aviators from ACL Athletics.
	08/04/2025	ACL Athletics activated RHP Zane Taylor.
	07/23/2025	Athletics signed RHP Zane Taylor.
	07/23/2025	RHP Zane Taylor assigned to ACL Athletics.
	06/03/2025	RHP Zane Taylor assigned to College Workout.
	04/11/2024	RHP Zane Taylor assigned to UNC Wilmington Seahawks.