Georgia College baseball alum named to top prospect league

Published in The Colonnade on Oct. 26, 2016

Georgia College baseball alumnus Josh Taylor has been selected to play for the Salt River Rafters in one of the most selective offseason leagues in professional baseball, the Arizona Fall League. The AFL is considered a stepping stone to the Major Leagues, with 60 percent of AFL players making it to the Majors.

“It means a lot,” said Taylor, the Arizona Diamondbacks’ No. 25 overall prospect according to MLB.com. “I didn’t have the greatest year statistically, so for [the D-backs to select me] means a lot.”

The AFL is an offseason league monitored by Major League Baseball that is comprised of six teams, each made up of seven prospects from five different Major League teams. Taylor, along with six other D-backs prospects, have been assigned to the Salt River Rafters.

“It’s humbling being able to see and being able to compete with [some of the top prospects in the game] and being able to show my talents as well,” Taylor said.

Besides D-backs Minor-Leaguers, the Salt River Rafters are comprised of prospects from the Atlanta Braves, Colorado Rockies, Detroit Tigers and Milwaukee Brewers. This environment breeds competitiveness, but also allows for the bonding of a baseball community.

“[It’s been great] just being able to meet people you played against during the season and being able to build relationships with these guys,” he added.

Taylor, a left-handed pitcher, graduated from GC in 2014 and played his senior season for the Bobcats before being signed by the Philadelphia Phillies on Aug. 12, 2014. He credits his time at GC in helping him be mentally tough and pushing himself to get better, which has carried over to his time in the Minors.

In 2016, the 23-year-old D-backs farmhand posted a 5-11 record with a 5.36 ERA between Single-A Adv. Visalia and Double-A Mobile. His 2016 season included a complete game, three-hit shutout in his first Double-A start against the Pensacola Blue Wahoos on July 5, which led him to be named Southern League Pitcher of the Week on July 10.

So far in the AFL, Taylor has recorded nine strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings pitched. Although he struggled in his first start with the Rafters, Taylor bounced back by going four innings while allowing just one hit, one walk and striking out seven batters on Oct. 19 against the Glendale Desert Dogs. He is focused on getting better with the mental side of the game.

“I’m working on staying focused and competing, and not letting things get to me,” said Taylor.

Taylor hopes to open eyes during his time in the AFL and looks to showcase his skills heading into D-backs’ spring training in 2017.

The future is bright in San Diego

Although the San Diego Padres experienced another rough season, failing to reach the .500 mark for the sixth season in a row, they had room for excitement with the promotion of two of its top prospects, Manny Margot and Hunter Renfroe (No. 2 and No. 3 respectively), who both made their Major League debut on Sept. 21.

Both players received a taste of PetCo Park at the SiriusXM Futures Game in July, with Margot representing the World team and Renfroe representing U.S. Margot's day included a 1-for-4 offensive showing, in addition to a homer-robbing catch in center field. Renfroe went 0-for-2 with a walk as the U.S. fell to the World 11-3.

Margot, ranked as MLB Pipeline's No. 27 overall prospect, is an athletic outfielder who has a variety of tools. The 22-year-old signed as an international free agent with the Red Sox in 2011, and was traded to the Padres in the offseason deal that sent Craig Kimbrel to the Red Sox before the 2016 season. In 124 games with Triple-A El Paso, Margot hit .304 with six home runs, 21 doubles, 12 triples, 30 stolen bases and 55 RBIs.

Renfroe, the No. 13 overall pick in the 2013 MLB Draft by the Padres, is also ranked in MLB Pipeline's top 100 prospects, coming in at No. 41. The former Mississippi State Bulldog is known for his power, belting 20 or more homers in all of his full seasons in the Minors. At Triple-A El Paso this year, Renfroe hit a career high 30 home runs, while also maintaining a .306 average. He was selected as the Pacific Coast League's Most Valuable Player in addition to winning the Joe Bauman Home Run Award for Triple-A.

The two took advantage of their promotion, and played almost everyday down the stretch. In 35 at-bats, Renfroe totaled 13 hits, four homers and 14 RBIs. Margot started off hot, tallying eight hits in his first 23 at-bats, with four of them going for extra bases, but cooled down towards the end as he totaled just one hit in his next 14 at-bats.

The Padres have a lot to look forward to as more of their top prospects are set to make the jump to the Majors in 2017. Margot and Renfroe could make the roster out of Spring Training next year and are early 2017 Rookie of the Year Award candidates.

Mile high start

It usually takes rookies a few games to muster up their first hit in the Majors, but that was not the case for Rockies outfielder David Dahl. Ranked by MLB Pipeline as the Rockies' No. 2 overall prospect, Dahl started his career off with a bang, recording a hit in each of his first 17 Major League games, tying a 75-year-old Big League record previously set by Reds rookie Chuck Aleno in 1941.

Although the streak ended on Aug. 12, Dahl found his way back into the hit column Saturday and Sunday, going 2-for-5 with two doubles and 1-for-3 with two walks, respectively. He has a .342 batting average with nine extra-base hits, 10 RBIs and six walks in 79 at-bats. Dahl, the No. 10 overall pick by the Rockies in 2012, was tearing up the Minors at the time of his promotion, having posted a .314/.394/.569 slash line between Double-A Hartford and Triple-A Albuquerque.

The 22-year-old should see consistent playing time down the stretch, and he will be a significant piece to the Rockies' team of the future, adding to an already impressive outfield consisting of Carlos Gonzalez, Charlie Blackmon and Gerardo Parra.

The Kemp effect

On Jul. 30, the Atlanta Braves acquired outfielder Matt Kemp in exchange for Hector Olivera. This was a move to attempt to provide better protection for first baseman Freddie Freeman. So far, the plan has worked, with Kemp being just the right person behind Freeman. Since Aug. 3, Freeman is hitting .333 (11-for-33) with four homers, four doubles and 11 RBIs, while Kemp is hitting .235 (8-for-34) with four extra-base hits and five RBIs. Although Kemp is off to a slow start, his name alone has impacted the way pitchers handle Freeman.

The whole lineup has also benefited from Kemp's presence. Since Aug. 3, the Braves have averaged 5.2 runs per game, which is well above their season mark of 3.6 per game. The top of the lineup, led by Ender Inciarte and Erick Aybar, has gotten hot too. In the month of August, Inciarte is hitting .370, while Aybar is hitting .333. Behind Kemp, Nick Markakis and Adonis Garcia have had more opportunities to drive runners in. Since Aug. 2, Markakis is hitting .333 with 10 RBIs while Garcia is hitting .262 with six RBIs. Having Markakis and Adonis in the fifth and sixth spots in the order has created more depth for Atlanta's offense.

Overall, the lineup has benefited from the presence of Kemp, who takes the weight of hitting fourth off players who are better suited in the fifth through seventh spots. The Braves may not be able to sustain the offensive pace they have set of late, but they are in a better position for the transition to SunTrust Park in 2017.

Winner of the 2016 Trade Deadline

The non-waiver Trade Deadline is always a busy time of the year, and 2016 was no exception. There were a total of 48 trades completed from June 1 through the Deadline, five more than last year. Many contenders were loading up for October baseball, while other teams chose to rebuild. The Texas Rangers came out on top as the winner in my eyes because of the impact players they received.

It was only two weeks ago that there was concern surrounding the Rangers, who had dropped 15 of 19 from June 29 to July 22. Houston was creeping up on them, only 2 1/2 games back in the American League West on July 22. Texas has gone 7-3 since, extending its lead to 5 1/2 games. Their most glaring need was a starting pitcher, but with the elevated price of starters due to a barren upcoming free-agent class, the Rangers looked to improve elsewhere.

They made two significant moves, the first a trade for veteran Carlos Beltran from the Yankees to solidify their designated hitter spot due to the absence of slugger Prince Fielder. Beltran is having an excellent year at age 39, hitting .300 with 22 home runs and 64 RBIs. He is a professional hitter who makes those around him better. Beltran also carries an excellent postseason track record. In 52 postseason games, Beltran owns a .332 average with 16 home runs, 13 doubles and 40 RBIs. Texas is looking to make a run at the World Series, and adding a hitter of this caliber to a lineup only increases its chances.

The second major move was the acquisition of catcher Jonathan Lucroy and right-handed reliever Jeremy Jeffress from the Brewers. Lucroy was acquired by the Rangers a day after he nixed a deal to the Indians. The 30-year-old backstop is hitting .297 with 13 homers and 50 RBIs. His value goes beyond his offense. On the defensive side, Lucroy is rated as one of the best pitch framers in the game in addition to being one of the top game callers. His experience behind the plate can help a pitching staff tremendously. Jeffress is having a career, owning a 2.22 ERA to go along with 27 saves in his first season in the closer role. He bolsters a bullpen that is 28th in the Majors in bullpen ERA at 4.81. The 28-year-old Jeffress gives Texas the option of closing or setting up for Sam Dyson.

While many other teams acquired an impact player, the Rangers stockpiled three impact players who can make a difference in the quest for a World Series.

Debut day

Three players have been called up to the Major Leagues and will make their Major League debut tonight -- Alex Bregman, David Dahl and Braden Shipley.

Bregman was the No. 2 overall pick by the Houston Astros in last year's draft, and was often overshadowed by Dansby Swanson and Brendan Rodgers. Bregman has begun to make a name for himself this year, posting a .306 average with 20 homers and 61 RBIs between Triple-A Fresno and Double-A Corpus Christi. He is ranked as MLB Pipeline's No. 18 overall prospect, and his best tool is his hit tool. With Correa at short, Bregman, being the athlete he is, should be seen all around the diamond, including third base and possibly left field.

Dahl, the Rockies' first round pick in 2012, was hitting .314 with 18 homers, 61 RBIs and 17 stolen bases between Double-A Hartford and Triple-A Albuquerque before his promotion to the Majors. The 22-year-old outfielder will play left field in his debut, and could make an impact immediately with Gerardo Parra still on the disabled list. He has solid tools all around, and can impact a game in many ways. Dahl's health has been an issue in the past, but if healthy, he can be a terrific player for the Rockies.

The 24-year-old Shipley was the Diamondbacks' first selection in 2013 out of the University of Nevada. He features a good fastball with an above average changeup and a power curveball. At Triple-A Reno, Shipley was 8-5 with a 3.70 ERA in 119 1/3 innings pitched. Ranked as MLB Pipeline's No. 58 overall prospect, Shipley projects as a future No. 3 starter, and if healthy can be even better. He will take the mound tonight against a Brewers team that has gone 3-7 in their last 10 games.

Why Jose Altuve is one of the best overall players in the Majors

When you think of Jose Altuve, you might think of a man in a kid's body. It is no secret that Altuve doesn't possess the size we typically equate with success in baseball. Listed at a mere five foot, six inches, Altuve gets the most out of his frame. This year, Altuve is fourth in WAR (5.2) according to FanGraphs, and is establishing himself as one of the best players in baseball.

Altuve has taken off in a new dimension this year -- hitting for power. Prior to the 2016 season, he had 36 career home runs, and only reached the double-digit plateau with 15 homers in 2015. Altuve has already matched his 2015 total in 261 fewer at-bats. He is also hitting third on an Astros team that features sluggers such as Carlos Correa and George Springer.

While the power has gone up, the other aspects of his game have not diminished. Altuve currently leads the Majors in batting average (.358), hits (135) and OBP (.427). He is still the stolen base threat of years past, swiping 25 bags in 29 attempts. Even with the power surge, Altuve has kept his strikeout numbers down, and has more walks (44) than strikeouts (40).

On the defensive side, Altuve is second among AL second baseman with a .992 fielding percentage. He has committed only three errors this season, and has totaled only eight since the start of the 2015 season.

Altuve is more than just a contact hitter, he is the whole package as a player. He plays the game with a refreshing energy, and proves that size doesn't matter. He is on pace to have a career year, and with 66 games left in the season, only time will tell if Altuve will emerge as the 2016 American League MVP award winner.