School: Texas Christian University; Class: Junior
Position: 3B; B/T: L/R
Height: 6-1; Weight: 180
Previously Drafted: N/A
High School: Copper Hills High School
| Hit | Power | SB | Patience | Glove | Overall |
| 50/55 | 45/50 | 40 | 50 | 50 | 50 |
Background: A remarkably consistent hitter during his three-year tenure with the Horned Frogs. Taylor, a lefty-swinging third baseman, quietly batted .324/.445/.572 with 11 doubles, four triples, 12 homeruns, and 15 stolen bases (in only 16 attempts) as a true freshman. And he acquitted himself well enough as a teenager in the vaunted Cape Cod League that summer as well, batting .269/.361/.385 with eight extra-base knocks in only 26 games.
The Copper Hills High School product picked up right where he left off in his sophomore season, mashing .314/.454/.576 with 14 doubles, one triple, 13 homeruns, and 10 stolen bases (without getting caught). He split the ensuing summer between shorts stints with Team USA (.111/.333/.111) and with the Falmouth Commodores in the Cape (.242/.395/.546).
This season Taylor continued to chug right along, posting a .306/.430/.635 slash line, setting career bests in doubles (15) and homeruns (23) while swiping 14 bases in as many attempts.
Scouting Report: Consider the following:
- Since 2011, there’s been eleven instances where a Big 12 hitter posted a .300/.420/.570 slash line with a walk rate of at least 15% in a season (min. 250 PA). Brayden Taylor accomplished the feat three separate times.
Very simple, easy swing. Despite the big uptick in power throughout his collegiate career, Taylor doesn’t sell out for the long ball. Instead, he’s willing to slap it in a gap or the opposite way. He’s a candidate to get the “professional hitter” label at some point at the next level. The swing path is more geared towards doubles and line drives. He has the potential to belt out 30 or 40 two-baggers in a season.
Ceiling: 2.0-win player
Risk: Moderate
Grade: First / Second Round
