RADIO
Michael Taylor Makes The Most Of His 2017 Opportunity
7 years agoEvery setback yields an opportunity, and that was certainly true for MIchael Taylor in 2017. With injuries befalling Adam Eaton, Jayson Werth and Bryce Harper at various time throughout the season, it was Taylor who stepped up and delivered a breakthrough that made him one of the best waiver wire pickups of the year. Batting at the bottom of the order, the outfielder delivered a 3.1 WAR season and slashed .271/.320/.486. It’s that last number, his slugging, that tells the story of how a former Top-50 prospect finally delivered. Despite having walk rates (6.7%) and strikeout rates (31.7%) that aligned with his minor league numbers, it’s his ISO that made the leap, mostly due to an increased launch angle, from .145 in 2016 to .216 last season. His 19 HR and 17 stolen bases in 118 games put him on the verge of a 20/20 season. So no other Nationals player’s stock rose as highly in 2017 as Taylor’s did. He’ll give the team flexibility and depth, especially with the possible departure of Bryce Harper in 2018. He makes a smart late-round pick, but beware. He may ultimately be limited by batting so low in the order and with phenom prospect Victor Robles knocking on the door.
