With Jameson Taillon's move to the New York Yankees on Sunday in exchange for prospects Miguel Yajure, Roansy Contreras, Maikol Escotto and Canaan Smith, the spotlight on the right-hander and his value for 2021 shines bright.
Taillon didn't pitch last season while recovering from his second Tommy John surgery in May 2019, but he delivered a 3.20 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 179:46 K:BB over 191 innings during the 2018 campaign.
It's been quite a rollercoaster of a career for the former 2nd overall pick in the 2010 MLB Draft who is as well-regarded of a teammate as there is in baseball. In the past six years, he has gone through two Tommy John surgeries as well as a bout of testicular cancer.
2021 Outlook
The right-hander is expected to be ready for the start of the 2021 season and should slot into the middle of New York's starting rotation provided he has a healthy camp.
Taillon is known for his curveball but saw a significant spike in his performance in 2018 after adding a slider to his arsenal. After adding the pitch on May 27th of that year, he cruised to a 2.71 ERA and 1.14 WHIP over his next 22 starts before his elbow gave out. That type of production would lead to a flurry of interest and bids on Draft Day but the medicals will have some clubs passing.
It will certainly be an uphill battle though for Taillon to return to form. Most pitchers do not return to their previous form until two years post-surgery, so expect some bumps in the road. In addition, the move to the AL East is hardly a positive one for his value.
Interested RDBL Teams
The Maltese Falcons made Taillon their second pick in franchise history in 2013 and given their current interest in a rebuild, a cost-efficient and high-upside play is right in line for a possible reunion. The Falcons went on to deal Taillon to the Lunatic Fringe who figure to also have interest in bringing back the right-hander to their organization.
Much like our previous Free Agent Spotlight on Madison Bumgarner, every club should have interest should the price stay at $5 or cheaper to round out their rotation. Given Taillon's performance to finish 2018 and with a healthy camp, we see that price rising closer to $10 in Auction.
2021 Auction Draft Prediction
$10 to the Maltese Falcons
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