Triple-figures on the gun? Check. Otherworldly K-to-BB numbers? Yup. A big future ahead on the South Side? Absolutely
Grant Taylor
Right-Handed Starting Pitcher
6´3´´
230 pounds
Age: 22
2024 South Side Sox Top Prospect Ranking 22
2024 High Level Kannapolis (Low-A)
Age relative to high level +0.4 years
SSS rank among all right-handed starters in the system 3
Overall 2024 stats 0-0 ⚾️ 5 starts ⚾️ 19 1⁄3 IP ⚾️ 2.33 ERA ⚾️ 0.724 WHIP ⚾️ 32 K ⚾️ 2 BB ⚾️ 0.7 Simple WAR
With the 51st overall pick in the 2023 MLB draft, the White Sox selected right-handed starting pitcher Grant Taylor from defending NCAA champion LSU.
Now, the 21-year-old didn’t actually participate in the national title run for the Tigers due to being out all year after Tommy John surgery. So, this is another would shoulda coulda stretch pick from the White Sox.
Taylor was ranked as the No. 102 draft prospect on MLB Pipeline.
He is said to be able to touch 99 mph with his fastball, with great downhill angle — but then, that was before he had major reconstructive arm surgery.
High ride mid-90s fastball with a ton of backspin & an absolute hammer of a curveball at LSU in 2022 – spin rates in the 2600-2800 range.
Needs to improve control, and of course get healthy. Likely saving some money here. https://t.co/L7zwymp8H6
— Luke Smailes (@lukesmailes4) July 10, 2023
There was a chance Taylor would be employed straight away/permanently out of the bullpen, but even the White Sox wouldn’t spend a 51st pick out of a loaded 2023 draft on a speculative reliever coming off of TJS. Thus Taylor, his feet finally under him and rehab complete, started all five of his regular season games in 2024, four exquisite ones coming at Kannapolis (1.13 ERA).
Taylor chased his abridged regular season with a four token/abridged starts (totaling 7 2⁄3 innings) in the Arizona Fall League. The assignment was part extra work given a short season, part acknowledgement that Taylor remains a key cog among the arms in the system.
That was proven even further this spring, when Taylor saw action in three Cactus League contests. Sure, it was another cameo, and the epitome of a small sample size — but Taylor opened eyes wide, blowing nine batters away with Ks and walking just one, hitting triple figures on the gun over four scoreless innings. The righthander relieved in all three games, even notching a save.
When Taylor was picked, he appeared to be lined up as an under-slot sign given his status of rehabbing a serious arm injury, but he ended up inking a deal for the full slot value. Digging into his pitch metrics reveals a considerable amount of upside here that likely warrants that slot value, though rebounding from major arm surgery is never guaranteed.
Taylor’s Baseball Cube player ratings
Strikeouts 93
vs. Power 74
Hittable 74
K/BB 73
Walks 60
Durability 59
Average 72.17
Taylor, brusquely said, has been babied as a pro, with just five total regular season starts. His revelatory work in Cactus League play makes it clear he could clear-cut a quick path to the majors out of the bullpen. But (rightfully) the White Sox want to see how his power arm plays as a starter. To that end, despite little experience in the system, Taylor should start 2025 at Winston-Salem and be up in Birmingham well before the All-Star break.
2025 South Side Sox Top 100 White Sox Prospects
9. Grant Taylor, RHSP
10. George Wolkow, RF
11. Bryan Ramos, 3B
12. Brooks Baldwin, SS
13. Chase Meidroth, SS
14. Ky Bush, LHSP
15. Jeral Perez, SS
16. Jacob Gonzalez, SS
17. Caleb Bonemer, SS
18. Wikelman Gonzalez, RHSP
19. Aldrin Batista, RHSP
20. Sean Burke, RHSP
21. Nick Nastrini, RHSP
22. Blake Larson, LHSP
23. Tyler Schweitzer, LHSP
24. Alexander Albertus, 3B
25. Wilfred Veras, RF
26. Seth Keener, RHSP
27. William Bergolla, 2B
28. Samuel Zavala, CF
29. Peyton Pallette, RHRP
30. Jake Eder, LHSP
31. Juan Carela, RHSP
32. Javier Mogollón, SS
33. Nick McLain, RF
34. Ronny Hernandez, C
35. Casey Saucke, RF
36. Eric Adler, RHRP
37. Rikuu Nishida, 2B
38. Shane Smith, RHSP
39. Tim Elko, 1B
40. Zach DeLoach, LF
41. Riley Gowens, RHSP
42. Prelander Berroa, RHRP
43. Sam Antonacci, 2B
44. Adisyn Coffey, RHRP
45. Jarold Rosado, RHRP
46. Ryan Galanie, 1B
47. Trey McGough, LHRP
48. Ricardo Brizuela, RHSP
49. Lucas Gordon, LHSP
50. Aaron Combs, RHRP (traded to Phillies on January 1)
51. DJ Gladney, RF
52. Abraham Núñez, CF
53. Andre Lipcius, 1B
54. Shawn Goosenberg, 1B
55. Caden Connor, 1B
56. Mario Camilletti, 2B
57. Jake Peppers, RHSP
58. Ryan Burrowes, SS
59. Garrett Schoenle, LHRP
60. Jackson Appel, C
61. Tommy Vail, LHSP
62. Bryce Collins, RHRP
63. Tanner McDougal, RHSP
64. Stiven Flores, C
65. T.J. McCants, CF
66. Gil Luna, LHRP
67. Fraser Ellard, LHRP
68. Zach Franklin, RHRP
69. Drew Dalquist, RHRP
70. Nick Altermatt, RHRP
71. Carson Jacobs, RHRP
72. Alec Makarewicz, 1B
73. Jacob Burke, CF
74. Calvin Harris, C
75. Terrell Tatum, CF
76. Phil Fox, RHRP
77. Reudis Diaz, RHSP
78. Jurdrick Profar, SS
79. Drew McDaniel, RHSP
80. Michael Turner, C
81. Caleb Freeman, RHRP
82. Braden Shewmake, SS (designated for assignment on January 1, claimed by Royals)
83. Connor McCullough, RHSP
84. Shane Murphy, LHSP
85. Mikey Kane, 1B
86. Daniel González, LHRP
87. Wes Kath, 3B
88. Pierce George, RHRP
89. Tristan Stivors, RHRP
90. Anthony Hoopii-Tuionetoa, RHRP
91. Chase Plymell, RHRP
92. Eddie Park, CF
93. Loidel Chapelli, 2B
94. Adam Hackenberg, C
95. Adrian Gil, 1B
96. Jared Kelley, RHRP
97. Lyle Miller-Green, 1B
98. Marcelo Alcala, RF
99. Drake Logan, LF
100. Cole McConnell, CF