Pirates Call-Up Star Prospect Jameson Taillon
PITTSBURGH (93-7 The FAN) - It's the move fans have been clamoring for since he made his return from Tommy John surgery, and it's finally here.
The Pirates have announced the call-up of top pitching prospect, right-hander Jameson Taillon.
The 24-year-old Taillon will make his debut Wednesday night against the New York Mets.
"I am going to try to slow the game down the best I can. Go out there and really try to keep doing what I've been doing in Triple-A. Hitters get a little bit better, there are more fans in the stands, but fill up the strike zone, be confident, throw power stuff downhill in the zone," Taillon said.
At AAA Indianapolis this year, the 2nd overall pick of the 2010 draft Taillon was 4-2 with a 2.04 ERA in 61.2 innings pitched. Maybe more impressively, Taillon has struck out 61 while walking only 6.
Top baseball people figured he would have been in a Pirates uniform a couple years ago. But, the right-handed flame thrower had Tommy John surgery on his elbow and missed the 2014 season. A sports hernia wiped out last year for him.
"As a young 18-year-old, I don't think this probably is the path I saw myself taking when you are young and naive, but it's my path. It's kind of what's been dealt for me and definitely makes it sweeter," Taillon said. "Mentally, I came back strong. I wasn't too concerned about my results. I am looking forward to just getting out there and competing and playing. You know, the same stuff that got hitters out in 2013 gets them out now."
At the time of his call-up, Taillon ranked fifth among International League leaders in ERA and sixth in strikeouts.
Taillon will be taking the place of Francisco Liriano as the struggling lefty will be skipped this time through the rotation.