Brayden
Taylor

Top of the scale instincts and feel for the game. In coach speak, he’s a “ballplayer.” His high-level bat-to-ball skills have produced a lengthy track record of success in the batter’s box both at TCU (.314/.454/.576 in 2022) and for the USA CNT last summer. He also started out rocking with a 7-for-12 (.583/.706/.917) showing at the College Baseball Showdown. Taylor is also a capable defender at the hot corner and has shown steady improvement over the course of his career. With a projectable 6-foot-1, 180-pound frame he also stands out for his potential to juice his stock even further with a jump in power production. Our current ranking of No. 8 is part prediction of his power popping this spring, which his 110 mph EV home run to right field on Friday against Vanderbilt was a step in the right direction. However, if his average exit velocities don’t increase to a more elite level (near average last season when compared to his college peers), he will likely land towards the bottom third of the first round, as opposed to the top third.

USA CNT: Despite already earning a spot in "who looks like a Day One guy" discussions surrounding the 2023 draft class, Taylor stands out for his potential to juice his stock even further thanks to a projectable frame and performance track record that both point towards a jump in power production and solidified defensive profile. Taylor controls the zone and tracks well, giving him the tools to work for walks and seek out hitter-friendly pitches to drive. There is some length to his swing, but the bat speed and swing path allow him to both catch up to velocity and keep the barrel on plane for an extended period of time, creating contact points to drive the ball oppo as well as turn and burn balls to pull. A capable defender at the hot corner, he has shown steady improvement over the past six months and looked the part of a potential average defender at the the next level with room for continued improvement. Taylor only logged 12 plate appearances in Holland, but stood out through trials as one of the more disciplined bats, collecting just three hits but leading the group in walks and also flashing his over-the-fence power with a moonshot into the right field seats at DBAP. Taylor will be closely monitored this fall and next spring as a present top 75-type profile with all the makings of a helium talent that could work his way into first round consideration by next summer.

Cape Cod- Showed fringe arm strength with a slingy arm action and below-average accuracy. At the plate he’s been a force in the middle of the lineup, third on the team with a .282 average and second in OBP (.390) to go along with a .424 SLG. He’s a below-average runner with solid instincts, swiping three bags this summer.