Jameson Taillon Battled Milwaukee Brewers as Team Canada Won 7-4, Set to Start Against Team USA

Jameson Taillon will face Team USA on Sunday, but the Buccos right hander pitched against the hated Milwaukee Brewers in one of those awkward exhibitions of Major League teams against teams from the World Baseball Classic yesterday.  The fact that the Bucs second overall pick in 2010, was on the mound is a testament of his toughness after battling a cold.

Taillon is the youngest starter on the Team Canada roster and his outing was described as impressive in this article.  The 6’6″ Taillon was born in Winter Haven, Florida to Canadian parents.  The 225-pounder has dual citizenship although he played for USA Baseball as a high school junior.

Taillon couldn’t make it through three innings after being sharp early on when he didn’t allow a hit through the first two innings.  (Although he walked two Brewers in the first inning.)  The 21-year old righty got two outs in the third before he gave up four straight hits sending him to the showers.

The final line could have been better as he gave up two runs on four hits walking two, beaned a Brewer, while also striking out two.

"“It obviously wasn’t my best outing. I would’ve liked to get better results, but as far as getting out there, getting to my pitch count, almost getting through three, that is big.”"

Jameson Taillon throws at spring training. RumBunter.com

Taillon is on a 65 pitch count limit against Team USA.  It will be interesting to see how Taillon can match up against big leaguers like Ryan Braun, Giancarlo Stanton and David Wright.

"“I wouldn’t say it’s intimidating,” said Taillon. “For me, I’ve really got nothing to lose. Those guys are five-, six-, 10-time all-stars, so I’m just going to go out there and have some fun with it, see what I can do.”"

Taillon talked about his first spring training start against the Red Sox (2IP, 0ER, 1H, 3K) with a pretty cool quote.

"“I’m out there facing, I don’t even remember who it was, it was a big leaguer,” he said. “And I was sitting there and I was like, ‘Man, how am I going to get this guy out? I watched him on TV. How am I going to get him out?’ It worked out well for me, but I think getting that experience out of the way, I’ll be fine going into this.”"