Taillon in Recovery Year to Come Back Strong in 2021
Over his professional career, Jameson Taillon has dealt with his fair share of injuries and set backs. Whether it was Tommy John Surgery, shoulder troubles, or even a battle with cancer, Taillon found a way to battle back and get ready to produce at a high level. The 2020 season offers a rather unique challenge for the 28-year old as he will have to battle back from yet another curveball thrown his way. However, this time it will be harder as few pitchers have been able to come back from this setback and still be successful.
It all began with a start on May 1st, 2019 against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas. Taillon was coming off of a shaky start and was looking to rebound in this interleague match-up. He was a little better, throwing 6.1 innings of work giving up four runs,three earned, but you could tell he wasn't his normal self. After the game, he would go see the team doctors and was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right elbow flexor strain. Surgery was always going to be the solution, but it was initially projected that Taillon would be able to return early in 2020.
However, when they went to do the surgery, doctors found out Taillon would require a second career Tommy John Surgery that would end up side-lining the right hander for the entire 2020 season. It was a worst-case scenario for the right hander, but if anyone could handle it, it was Taillon. As the Pirates opened Spring Training 2020, he began a three-day a week throwing program set to get his arm back to pitching strength. He was throwing from 105 feet on flat ground and reported no problems to that point. Taillon also changed his mechanics to help him stay healthier longer when he does return.
From the moment he hit the injured list, Taillon was looking for a way to tweak his mechanics to stay on the field longer. He sought the help of Randy Sullivan at the Florida Baseball Ranch to correct his motion and make it where there is less pressure on his elbow. His new motion features Taillon being short and quick with his arm movement and, instead of reaching across his body to generate velocity, he steps toward his target and releases the ball earlier than before.
All these efforts are to make sure Taillon returns fully healthy and ready to retake the reigns as the Pirates ace. His only full healthy season in the MLB was the 2018 season where he had a breakout season in his professional career. He worked in a career-high 191 innings, going 14-10 with a 3.20 ERA, while striking out 179 and walking just 46 batters. After a battle with testicular cancer the year before, the season proved that he could battle back from adversity and shine. While he won't be physically on the field, Taillon still has plenty to offer for his team in 2020.
After throwing in four seasons with the Pirates, Taillon has become one of the veteran guys in the clubhouse and he demand a attention when he walks in. His presence in the clubhouse was sorely missed at the end of the 2019 season and led to turmoil in the clubhouse. In 2020, Taillon is bringing his leadership back to the clubhouse as he helps guide the team's young pitchers through the season. Before the break, Taillon already had plans to make certain roadtrips with the team and stay in the clubhouse during long home stands.
One of the things that makes Taillon so good when he is on the field is his pinpoint control that he has had throughout his career. In four MLB seasons, Taillon has never had a walk percentage higher than 7.8%, and that continued in 2018 where he walked just 5.9% of batters in what was his highest pro work load. He gets opponents to chase his pitches over 30% of the time while hitting the zone just over 51% of the time. Taillon is another in a long line of Pirates pitchers that use their deception rather than speed to get hitters out.
His most used pitch in 2019 was his slider which he used 31.9% of the time jumping 13% from his 2018 season. It is one of the best sliders in baseball with 5.4 inches of break, 2.2 inches vs.. 4Average, while dropping off 30 inches from the point of release. The pitch generated 11 of his 30 strikeouts last season as he dropped it low and in on righties while having it fade away against left-handers. His four-seamer was his next most used pitch at 27.2% of the time, mostly to start at bats. He likes to work the heater up in the zone to provide a change of eye level while setting up his breaking stuff.
While Taillon wont throw a single pitch during the 2020 season, his contribution to the team will still be there. Taillon is a smart baseball man and has a lot of experience to give to guys like Mitch Keller as they develop into top major League arms. While providing guidance, he will be working his way back to full health so he can contribute in 2021. Once Taillon does get back, the Pirates will be looking for him to return to form and live up to the expectationa that were set when he was drafted #2 overall coming up through the Minor league system.
Prediction: 2-1 3.78 ERA (3 Triple A Starts)
Against all odds, I think Taillon will pitch again towards the end of 2020 on his road to recovery. Look for him to get some late-season rehab starts in with Triple A Indianapolis as he prepares to get back in the Pirates rotation in 2021. When he does come back, I don't think he will be the ace that he once was, but I think he will be a good middle of the rotation arm. He was never going to blow anyone away with his velocity, but his deception is now going to be more important than ever if he wants to continue to get batters out at a high rate.
As of now, the season is expected to begin somewhere around May 25th. Until then, we will continue to look at the men who make up this year's team and their contributions in 2020.
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