MLB Veteran Michael A. Taylor Calls It a Career
In a surprising announcement, Chicago White Sox outfielder Michael A. Taylor has declared his retirement from Major League Baseball. The 34-year-old made the announcement to the media ahead of the White Sox's game against the Washington Nationals, a team Taylor played with for many years. "To be able to play my last games of my career here in this ballpark in front of these fans, it’s just the icing on the cake," Taylor stated, according to Andrew Golden of The Washington Post. He is in the lineup for the Sox today, playing center field and batting ninth, in what will be his final game.
Taylor's journey began in 2009 when he was drafted by the Nationals in the sixth round. Initially a shortstop, he transitioned to the outfield, where his defensive prowess quickly became apparent. He also developed power at the plate, hitting 23 home runs in the minor leagues in 2014.
A Top Prospect
Heading into 2015, Taylor was ranked among the top 100 prospects in baseball by several publications, including Baseball America (#32), MLB Pipeline (#42), and Baseball Prospectus (#57). FanGraphs, however, was more conservative, placing him at #133 on their list.
Taylor made his MLB debut in 2014, but it was in 2015 that he became a regular for the Nationals. He played in 138 games, hitting 14 home runs and stealing 16 bases. However, his inconsistency at the plate, characterized by high strikeout and low walk rates, limited his overall impact.
Key Contributor to Nationals' Success
Despite his flaws, Taylor was a valuable player for the Nationals during their most successful period. From 2012 to 2019, the team had a winning record each season and made the playoffs five times. While stars like Bryce Harper, Stephen Strasburg, Trea Turner, Juan Soto, Max Scherzer, and Anthony Rendon led the way, Taylor consistently contributed in a supporting role.
After leaving Washington, Taylor played for the Kansas City Royals, Minnesota Twins, and Pittsburgh Pirates before joining the White Sox. He retires with a career batting average of .232 and 109 home runs.
Taylor's career is a testament to perseverance and the ability to contribute to a team's success even without being a superstar. He will be remembered for his defensive skills and his role in the Nationals' golden era.