Michael Taylor, Outfield, Minnesota Twins

Date of Birth: 3/26/1991
Birthplace: Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Michael Taylor, outfielder for the Minnesota Twins, was drafted by the Washington Nationals in 2009. He played in their minor league system from 2010 through 2014. During that time, he had 497 hits, 125 doubles, 50 home runs, 131 stolen bases, 269 RBIs, and 541 strikeouts to 199 walks in 521 games. Defensively, as a center fielder, he made 1,072 putouts and 20 errors in 416 games.

Taylor joined the Nationals for 17 games in 2014. He hit his first major league home run on August 12, 2014.

In 2015, Taylor's first full season in the major leagues, he batted .229 with 108 hits, 15 doubles, 14 home runs, 16 stolen bases, and 63 RBIs in 138 games with the Nationals. On May 13th, he hit his first major league career grand slam. Defensively, he played 38 games in left field, 96 games in center field, and 3 games in right field.

Taylor spent time in the minors in 2016, finishing the season with 76 games with the Nationals. During his time in the majors, he batted .231 with 51 hits. Defensively, as a center fielder in 64 games, he made 121 putouts and 1 error. In the postseason, he had no hits and 2 strikeouts in 2 at-bats in 3 games.

Taylor finished the 2017 season with 108 hits, 23 doubles, 19 home runs, 53 RBIs, 137 strikeouts to 29 walks, and a .271 batting average in 118 games. Defensively, as the Nationals' center fielder in 111 games, he made 258 putouts and 4 errors. In the postseason, he had 5 hits and 8 RBIs in 15 at-bats in 5 games. He hit a grand slam in Game 4 of the NLDS and a three run home run in Game 5.

Taylor played in 134 games in 2018. He had 80 hits, 22 doubles, 24 stolen bases, 28 RBIs, 116 strikeouts to 29 walks, and a .227 batting average. Defensively, as the Nationals' center fielder in 113 games, he made 232 putouts and 1 error.

Taylor spent time on the DL in 2019 with a left knee and hip sprain. He batted .250 with 22 hits in 53 games. In the postseason, he had 7 hits, 2 home runs, 2 RBIs, 7 strikeouts to 1 walk, and a .333 batting average in 21 at-bats in 8 games.

Taylor played in 38 games in 2020. He finished the season with 18 hits, 6 doubles, 5 home runs, 15 RBIs, 27 strikeouts to 6 walks, and a .196 batting average. Defensively, he played 14 games in left field, 11 games in center field, and 11 games in right field.

Taylor became a free agent on October 15, 2020. He signed with the Kansas City Royals on November 30th. He finished the 2021 season with 118 hits, 16 doubles, 14 stolen bases, 54 RBIs, 144 strikeouts to 33 walks, and a .244 batting average in 142 games. He had a strong defensive season, winning his first Gold Glove. As a center fielder in 139 games, he made 351 putouts and 3 errors.

The Royals traded Taylor to the Twins on January 24, 2023.

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Michael Taylor
ESPN - Michael Taylor
Baseball Reference - Michael Taylor