With the 80th pick in the 2022 MLB Draft, the Houston Astros selected pitcher Andrew Taylor from Central Michigan University.
Taylor had an impressive college career for Central Michigan posting a 2.45 ERA with 261 K in 195 innings. Taylor was ranked #156 by MLB.com and they had this to say about him:
“Taylor was spectacular in his first full college season in 2021, earning Mid-American Conference pitcher of the year and consensus All-America honors while setting a Central Michigan record with 125 strikeouts. He broke his own mark with 126 whiffs this spring, though he also left starts in April and May with elbow tightness. He didn’t miss a turn in the rotation, however, and he looked good in an NCAA regional start against Florida and could become the first Chippewas pitcher to go in the top four rounds since Kevin Tapani in 1986. Taylor’s fastball sits at 90 mph and tops out at 94, but it’s an analytics darling with its high spin rates and carry. Add in the extension he creates with his skinny 6-foot-5 frame, and hitters struggle to get good swings against his heater and repeatedly get beat with it up in the zone. He uses his fastball roughly 80 percent of the time and his most reliable secondary pitch is a solid 78-82 mph changeup with fade and depth. While he has improved his breaking balls, a soft mid-70s downer curveball and a nascent 78-83 mph slider, they’re no more than average offerings. Taylor keeps his long limbs in sync, allowing him to repeat his delivery and provide strikes. While there are some questions about his health, there’s also some thought that he has more upside remaining if a pro club can help him increase his strength and feel for spinning the ball.”
Taylor looks like another high upside college arm the Astros can add to their crop of college pitchers last year. Congratulations to Andrew Taylor for being drafted to the Houston Astros!
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