Jameson Taillon Continues To Dominate AAA

Entering his start for AAA Indianapolis today prized Pirate pitching prospect Jameson Taillon’s 2016 campaign was already off to a great start. In 10 1/3 innings pitched Taillon had posted a 2.61 ERA, 1.36 FIP, and 8.71 K/9. Also, Taillon had not walked a batter while allowing just 12 hits.

Despite how great Taillon had pitched in his first two starts, his third start today was his best yet. Taillon went six innings allowing just one hit, zero runs, zero walks, and six strikeouts. On the season Taillon now has a 1.65 ERA, he still has not walked a batter, he still has not allowed a home run, he has struck out 16 batters, and his WHIP is 0.80.

The fact Taillon has been this dominating after missing the last two seasons due to injury is remarkable. Taillon had not started a professional baseball game since 2013 prior to this season. And despite this Taillon has continued to dominate. That is incredible.

It goes without saying that Jameson Taillon has been absolutely dominant for AAA Indianapolis thus far. If it were not for the injury issues Taillon has had to deal with the past two seasons he would already be in the Pirate rotation. Entering the season I sort of though that Taillon might be Major League ready, and his early results from AAA have me leaning more and more toward believing that.

Taillon, probably, still needs another two or three starts at AAA to continue to build up his arm strength and game endurance after missing the past two seasons. Taillon threw a season high 88 pitches today, I’m sure the Bucs would like to see him hit the century mark in a game before calling him up. But Jameson Taillon is really, really close to being in Pittsburgh.

Jameson Taillon will be in the Pirate rotation sooner rather than later. Yes, there is the Super 2 issue that will continue to show its ugly face until early June. However, there are ways to work around that. And that is something I will get into in an article later this week. For now, let’s just appreciate how dominant Jameson Taillon has been thus far at AAA and how much fun it’ll be to see him in Pittsburgh soon.