Here, Taylor, a fifth-rounder in 2007 who is 23, will see sharper breaking balls, more finely painted fastballs, fewer mistakes. He'll see all sorts of pitches thrown in all counts, often from men who are desperate for another shot, maybe a final shot, at the majors.
"People will mix in even more offspeed stuff," said Taylor, softly and clearly. "I'll need to refine my plan at the plate."
The Phillies aren't worried.
"He has a plan when he goes up there . . . and he's got some ability," said Phillies assistant general manager Benny Looper. "He's got real good eye-hand coordination. He puts the ball in play."
Looper, along with top scout Charley Kerfeld, watched Taylor's Triple A debut last night. As predicted, they saw Taylor challenged by Rochester Red Wings righthander Jeff Manship.
Taylor, a righthanded hitter, popped out weakly, foul, in his first at-bat; struck out looking on three pitches in his second, the last a fastball that ran back over the outside corner; and, after falling behind, 0-2, walked on eight pitches in his third appearance. He scorched a 1-1 breaking ball to third base in his fourth at-bat against reliever Armando Gabino.
"I settled in a little bit," Taylor said. "I was a little tired. And I was a little amped up."
So, no hits for Taylor. But there was evidence of his promise.
"He's going to want to come in and show everybody what he can do," Lehigh Valley manager Dave Huppert said before the game.
After Taylor's walk, the 9,388 at Coca-Cola Park got to see what he could do on the basepaths.
Taylor easily scored from first on Terry Tiffee's subsequent double to right-centerfield. He scored standing up. There was no relay. It was a breathtaking sprint for such a large man.
"I can move, once I get going," Taylor allowed, smiling.
This is some of what the excitement is about.
