Pittsburgh Pirates Breaking News: Jameson Taillon Promoted

Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports /
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BREAKING NEWS: Today the Pittsburgh Pirates announced that former #2 overall pick Jameson Taillon will be heading to Pittsburgh!

This a move that many fans have been waiting for since opening day, while others since 2013.  Many know the story of Jameson Taillon.  He was the number two overall pick in 2010 behind Bryce Harper.  The Pirates were torn between him and Manny Machado.  The Bucs went with Taillon in fear that Machado could not stick at short.

Taillon pitched well through his minor league career.  His first season in 2011 he pitched in Low-A West Virginia, an aggressive level for a prep pitcher.  He started 23 games that year and threw to a 3.98 ERA.  The most impressive stat was that he struck out 97 batters in 92 innings.  In 2012 he spent time between High-A and AA.  He made 23 stats in Bradenton and had an ERA of 3.82 and in AA in three starts he had a strong 1.59 ERA.  In 2013 he pitched at AA and AAA.  He made 19 starts at AA pitching to a 3.62 ERA and then he made 6 starts at AAA and threw to a 3.89 ERA.

His most impressive performance was not in the minor league in 2013, but rather in the World Baseball Classic.  Taillon started against Team USA in 2013. He pitched well giving up on one earned run and striking out three, including Ryan Braun. This was the first time that a majority of fans got to see Taillon pitch and he showed why he was the #2 overall pick.  At the time he had not pitched above AA.  Yet, he was throwing a mid-90s fastball and showed great poise.

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Everything seemed to be trending for a 2014 major league debut.  Then disaster struck.  In the Spring Training of 2014 it was announced that Taillon received Tommy John surgery.  Unfortunate, but yet somewhat expected as it is for most young pitcher.  Fans would have to wait.  Some started to speculate that he could appear late in 2015, however he then under went surgery for a sport hernia which ended his 2015 season.

Two full season gone for Taillon.  Coming into 2016 he claimed that although he was hurt, he was able to refine his game and still improve as a pitcher.  He showed it this year.  He has been dominate in Triple-A this season.  He has thrown 61.2 innings at the Triple-A this year, and he carries a 2.04 ERA. He has allowed just 44 base hits and has struck out 61 batters while only walking six.

He has been a complete stud and has shown that he really has grown from his time off and has become a more mature pitcher.  Taillon was 19 when he entered into the system.  He was a 6’6” 19 year old and 180 pounds.  During his time off he not only learned mentally how to be a better pitcher, but he physically grew into his frame.

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Jameson Taillon is only 24 years of age, but has been regarded as atop 30 prospect in all of baseball since being drafted.  Yes he debut was delayed by a good year and a half, but he is here. Taillon future is bright, and I have always said that I believe he will be the future ace of this rotation, yes in front of Cole.  Taillon has a great four pitch mix, including a hammer curve ball, a mid 90s fastball, and a plus change and a progressing two-seam fastball.  He has a true four pitch mix.  Get ready people Jamie, JT, Jameson Taillon is here and get ready to finally enjoy the “future of the rotation” in him and Gerrit Cole in the same rotation, finally.

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