Pirates promote top prospect Jameson Taillon to Triple-A
By Matt Shetler
With the way that not only the Pittsburgh Pirates have performed at the major league level, but the way some of their top prospects have performed this season, it’s hard to not get excited about the future.
With that being said, a big part of that future just got one step closer from reaching the big time.
February 28, 2013; Bradenton, FL, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Jameson Taillon (76) throws a pitch in the first inning against the Boston Red Sox at McKechnie Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
The Pirates announced that top pitching prospect Jameson Taillon was promoted to Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday and is expected to join the team on Monday.
Taillon was rated as the game’s No. 11 prospect in Baseball America’s midseason top 50 prospect rankings update. He went 4-7 with a 3.67 ERA with Double-A Altoona. Taillon struck out 106 batters and walked 36 in 110.1 innings at Altoona.
If the timing of Taillon’s promotion seems a bit familiar, it should.
The Bucs did the same thing with Gerrit Cole a season ago, promoting him in August to get a handful of starts in Triple-A, where he would be set to open the following season. The same will likely happen with Taillon as he is all but assured of beginning next season in Triple-A. Only time will tell if he forces the Pirates to call him up around June or July or if he will spend all next season in Triple-A.
Taillon has posted inconsistent numbers in Double-A, but evaluators rate his ceiling as being that of a potential ace as Taillon throws a 93-97 mph fastball and sharp curveball. His command requires refinement, but everything about him has the makings of another potential staff ace.
Baseball America wrote: “The arrival of Gerrit Cole gives Pirates one future frontline starter; Taillon isn’t far behind.”
That’s been the Pirates plan all along and now with the promotion of Taillion; it is one step closer to becoming a reality.