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.
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