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Josh Taylor (baseball)
Joshua Earl Taylor (born March 2, 1993) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Boston Red Sox and the Kansas City Royals. Listed at 6 feet 5 inches (1.96 m) and 225 pounds (102 kg), he throws and bats left-handed. Amateur careerTaylor attended Centennial High School in Peoria, Arizona. He attended and played college baseball at Scottsdale Community College and Georgia College & State University.[1][2] Professional careerPhiladelphia PhilliesTaylor signed with the Philadelphia Phillies organization as an undrafted free agent in August 2014. In three games in the Gulf Coast League, he pitching 9+1⁄3 innings while allowing no earned runs.[3] Arizona DiamondbacksTaylor was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks organization in July 2015.[4] Overall with two Class A teams in 2015, Taylor made 24 appearances (all starts) with a 3.96 ERA and an 8–8 record.[3] In 2016, Taylor pitched at both the Class A-Advanced and Double-A levels, appearing in a total of 26 games (24 starts) while compiling a 5–11 record with 5.36 ERA. Taylor spent most of 2017 at the Double-A level, along with a single appearance in the rookie-level Arizona League. Overall, his 2017 record was 4–7 with a 4.96 ERA in 34 games (14 starts).[3] Boston Red SoxIn May 2018, Taylor was acquired by the Boston Red Sox as the player to be named later from an earlier trade for Deven Marrero.[5] At the time, he had been playing for the Class A-Advanced Visalia Rawhide; the Red Sox assigned him to the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs, and in September he was promoted to the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox. Overall during 2018, Taylor appeared in 48 games, all in relief, with a 3.35 ERA and 3–7 record with 13 saves.[3] The Red Sox added Taylor to their 40-man roster after the 2018 season.[6] He started the 2019 season with Triple-A Pawtucket.[3] On May 29, he was called up to the major leagues for the first time,[7] making his debut that day against the Cleveland Indians.[8] Taylor was optioned back to Pawtucket on June 10, then recalled on June 14.[9] Overall with the 2019 Red Sox, Taylor appeared in 52 games (one start), compiling a 2–2 record with a 3.04 ERA and 62 strikeouts in 47+1⁄3 innings.[10] On July 4, 2020, it was announced that Taylor had tested positive for COVID-19.[11] He remained on the injured list until being activated on August 17,[12] and returned to the injured list on September 11 with left shoulder tendinitis.[13] Overall with the 2020 Red Sox, Taylor appeared in eight games, all in relief, compiling a 1–1 record with 9.82 ERA and 7 strikeouts in 7+1⁄3 innings pitched.[10] Taylor began the 2021 season as a member of Boston's bullpen.[10] On August 31, he was placed on the COVID-related list;[14] he returned to the team on September 6.[15] On September 11, Taylor recorded his first MLB save, closing out an extra innings win over the Chicago White Sox.[16] On September 26, Taylor was placed on the injured list with a low back strain.[17] Overall during the regular season, Taylor made 61 relief appearances for Boston, earning one win while logging a 3.40 ERA and striking out 60 batters in 47+2⁄3 innings.[10] He then made six postseason appearances, allowing a single run in four innings, as the Red Sox advanced to the American League Championship Series.[10] Taylor began the 2022 season on the 10-day injured list due to a back injury; he was moved to the 60-day injured list on May 12.[18] Kansas City RoyalsOn January 24, 2023, the Red Sox traded Taylor to the Kansas City Royals for Adalberto Mondesí and Angel Pierre.[19] Taylor was optioned to the Triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers to begin the 2023 season.[20] On June 27, it was announced that Taylor would require surgery to repair a herniated disc in his lower back.[21] He was transferred to the 60-day injured list on July 3.[22] On April 7, 2024, Taylor was placed back on the 60–day injured list with a biceps nerve issue that had plagued him during spring training.[23] On October 31, Taylor elected for free agency.[24] References
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