By Thomas Grant Jr.
It was three years ago when Will Taylor was selected in the 19th round of the Major League Baseball draft by the Texas Rangers.
He was coming off a senior season at Dutch Fork High School where he led the program to another undefeated season and a state-record fifth straight Class 5A title.
Taylor opted to fulfill his commitment to Clemson where he played both football and baseball before sticking full-time with the latter.
On Monday, MLB came calling again for Taylor. This time, it was the Pittsburgh Pirates who selected him in the fifth round of this year’s draft.
As the 145th overall pick, Taylor can sign for a slot value of $471,000.
He’s coming off a 2024 season which was shortened by a broken left wrist. In 32 games, he batted .230 with seven home runs, a triple, two doubles, 19 RBIs, 28 runs and six steals in 32 games.
Taylor also suffered a torn ligament in his right knee as a freshman while playing football. He came back in 2023 to bat .362 with 23 extra base hits, five home runs, 46 RBI and 111 stolen bases.
His comeback from injury earned Taylor the team’s Most Improved Player Award.
Taylor improved his stock at the MLB Combine where he recorded the fourth and fifth fastest times at this year’s event. He also had the second-highest “Takeoff Peak Force” in the “Counter Movement Jump.”
A total of five Clemson players and a signee were selected in this year’s draft.
Photo courtesy of Clemson Athletics
