Skip to main content

BlueClaws Quotables: Non-drafted signee LHP Josh Taylor

Taylor, image- Jay Floyd
Lakewood BlueClaws hurler Josh Taylor has made an impact with the Class A club in the early going this season. Through four starts, the 22-year-old sports a 1-1 record with a 3.68 ERA while having struck out 24 and walked four in 22 innings.

After pitching in a summer showcase for college players last summer, the Phillies made an offer to the undrafted hard-throwing lefty. Once he signed, the six-foot-five 225-pounder notched a 2-0 record without allowing a run in three relief appearances for the rookie level Gulf Coast League Phillies.

Recently, I spoke with Josh, an Arizona native, about how he came to sign with the Phils last year, his pitching coach with Lakewood, Aaron Fultz, and more. Read ahead for those quotes.

-Speaking on how the Phillies came to sign him...

I went to two years at junior college and then I signed with a Division II school out of Georgia, Georgia College, and they set me up with a summer league out in the Northwoods League. And, from there, I got put into a showcase game and right after the game I got a call from a scout from (the Phillies) and after that, that's what it was. I couldn't say no.

-Describing his outing that the Phils first saw him...

I was pumped, because I think it's called The Big League Dream Showcase and I got the start. My velocity was good and I think that's what really sent me there. I allowed one hit, one walk, it was only an inning of work. I mean, it was nothing special. It was just a tall lefty throwing hard.

-Sharing details on his repertoire and velocity...

My fastball (in my first start) topped out at 95, but I'm usually 92 to 94. I got a curve ball, slider, change up and two-seam.


-Commenting on the feedback he's gotten from coaches in the early going this year...

They're just saying I'm doing good. And when I do something (Coach Fultz) doesn't agree with, he'll ask me- he won't say, "Why'd you do that?" He just says, "Okay. What did you do?" And whether he agrees with it or not, he says, "Here's what I think." And we come to an agreement and we go from there.

-Replying on if feedback from Fultz means more because he's been to the top level with the Phillies...

Oh, yeah. Especially with him being left-handed and him knowing what it takes to get to the next level. Him saying, "Why would you throw this in this count?" Well, that's something you think about and he obviously knows what he's talking about. He was successful doing what he was doing. It is a big help.

-Speaking on what player he looked up to most as a fan, growing up...

"Big Unit"! Randy Johnson. Being a big D-Backs fan, he was the one I watched closely and wanted to be like growing up. The way he carried himself on and off the field and the person he was on the mound. He wasn't going to give in. He was focused every pitch and that's something I try to mimic doing, being focused every pitch and having that- not cockiness, but that intensity and that, you know, that drive on the mound being able to say, "I'm better than you", and get you out.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

PhoulBallz Interview: BlueClaws OF Justin Crawford

Justin Crawford w/ junior reporter Evan At the age of 19, outfielder Justin Crawford has played his way into the conversation of being considered as one of baseball's top prospects. The son of four-time MLB All-Star Carl Crawford, Justin has looked every bit as impressive as his position as the 17th overall draft selection last year would have most fans thinking he should be.  He opened the season with Class A Clearwater where, in 69 games, he notched a .344/.399/.478 slash line.  And since mid-August when he was promoted to Class A Advanced Jersey Shore, the younger Crawford has posted a .300/.364/.440 line.  He's also stolen 44 bases in 52 attempts overall. And while the BlueClaws enter the final week of the regular season 1/2 game out of first place in their division, I spoke with Justin Crawford about the team's hopes of making the postseason for the first time since 2018. I also asked Justin about the similarities and differences between his skillset and his father'

Jersey Shore clinches playoff berth on final day of regular season

Ottto Kemp, image- Jay Floyd With an extra-inning victory over first-half division champions Hudson Valley on Sunday, the Class A Advanced Jersey Shore BlueClaws clinched the team's first playoff appearance since 2018, winning the second-half division title. Key performers in the BlueClaws' clincher were righty hurler Jason Ruffcorn, who threw three innings of relief to earn the victory and third baseman Otto Kemp, notched three hits, a walk, two stolen bases and plated the game winning run in the 11th inning on a sacrifice fly.  On top of that, Kemp, who turned 24-years-old on Saturday, made an absolute game-saving defensive play to help the club hold their lead in the bottom of the 11th frame. One of Jersey Shore's most consistent performers all season long has been right-handed reliever Cam Wynne.  The Phillies' 20th round draft pick in 2021 out of Nebraska.  In 34 appearances, one start, the 24-year-old tallied a 1-1 record with one save, a 2.44 ERA and a .190 batti

RHP Pipkin headed to AFL after hot August

After completing what was easily the best month of his career, righty hurler Dominic Pipkin is ready to face the tough competition of the prominent Arizona Fall Leage.   Pipkin, who was the Phillies' 9th round draft selection in 2018, has had moderate success in his five years as a pro, posting a 4.93 ERA, a 7.6 K/9 mark and a .260 batting average against mostly at the lower levels on the minors. After missing time this year with an unspecified ailment, the six-foot-four 170-pounder proved to be healthy as he dominated AA competition in nine appearances with the Reading Fightin Phils during August.  Pipkin's impressive production resulted in a 1-0 record with a save and a 0.96 ERA while striking out eight and walking three in 9 1/3 innings. The California native says his efforts to improve have helped him touch 100 MPH on the radar gun, while his fastball velocity is mostly around 96 MPH.   Pipkin's arsenal includes that improved fastball as well as a slider while his curve