The Indians have claimed right-hander Ben Taylor off waivers from the Red Sox, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com tweets. Taylor had been in limbo since Boston designated him for assignment last weekend. To make room for Taylor, the Indians placed righty Cody Anderson on the 60-day disabled list, per a team announcement. Anderson is still recovering from a March 2017 Tommy John procedure.
The 26-year-old Taylor is the second reliever the Indians have added on Sunday, joining minor league free agent signing Matt Belisle. Taylor, who had been with the Red Sox since they selected him in the seventh round of the 2015 draft, got his first taste of major league action last season. Over a 17 1/3-inning span, Taylor logged a 5.19 ERA with 9.35 K/9, 4.67 BB/9 and a paltry 26.4 percent groundball rate. He was more successful in his first Triple-A experience, albeit over just 13 1/3 frames, with a 2.70 ERA, 8.1 K/9, 3.38 BB/9 and a 45.5 percent grounder mark.
Taylor has a pair of minor league options remaining, which means he could serve as Triple-A depth for the Indians if he doesn’t make their season-opening bullpen.
Carl Willis must have seen something in him that he liked.
He’s got some insane minor league peripherals, and having two options is a big help too. I didn’t think about the Carl Willis connection though, but I’m sure that didn’t hurt.
Looks like Cleveland finally has an Ace
Guess you never heard of Kluber or
Carrasco…..
I glanced and say Brien Taylor.
Me too. Man we are so old to remember him.
His rookie card probably carries a negative value by now.
Lol yup. Man I remember he was a sure fire prospect and Yankees were already getting his hall of fame picture lined up.
I saw Brien Taylor pitch for the Albany Colonie Yankees back in the early 90s. Electric stuff.
What’s amazing is Taylor was repped by , who else , but Scott Boras. I remember his negotiations with Gene Michael were filled with animus. Boras had made Van Poppel rich the year before but NYY balked at giving a HS pitcher a million bucks. I can only imagine how that would have played out in today’s media climate.
Sad story tho. When he was a phenom for NYY his hometown named a street after him, Brown Taylor Way. Once he fizzled out and came upon hard times, he was arrested at his home …. on Brien Taylor Way.
Me too…
Watching limited opportunities, Taylor did seem to show an MLB skill set. Nothing not to like realizing as the last man on the Cleveland 40 man roster, he could get released tomorrow. Good luck to him.
Last added to the 40-man doesn’t necessarily mean he’s #40 on there, there could be others moved before they release him.