Jameson Taillon Will Make An Impact For Pirates In 2015

February 28, 2013; Bradenton, FL, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Jameson Taillon (76) throws a pitch in the first inning against the Boston Red Sox at McKechnie Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitching prospect Jameson Taillon was expected to hear his name as part of the major league team last season but an elbow injury and subsequent Tommy John surgery squashed any hope of that last April.

Now in recovery and in the early stages of a throwing program all signs point to Taillon making the big leagues at some point late in 2015. Everyone heals and recovers differently from Tommy John, but even if he progresses slowly, he still should be ready to go for the minors early next season. It’s doubtful he will spend a lot of time at that level barring any setback.

Once he is called up, he will probably spend time in two different roles depending on what the Pirates need. It would be best to slowly weave him into the rotation by giving him a couple long relief outings first. Once he seems comfortable, plugging him into the rotation for five or six innings of work only makes sense.

Taillon will make an impact because he gives the rotation another hard thrower to go with Gerrit Cole. Taillon has put up decent numbers in the minors but it shouldn’t surprise anyone if he actually turns out to be a better major leaguer because of his stuff and the confidence he has. There are plenty of reasons to believe Taillon could see a late-season promotion turn into a quick transition into the rotation and a possible start in the playoffs if the Pirates get that far.

Taillon is the second piece of the Pirates’ plan to take over the National League with amazing young starting pitching. Next season — if Taillon does stay healthy — Pirates fans will have the pleasure of seeing two hard-throwing starters grouped together for the first year of what will hopefully be a decade of dominating pitching.