Jameson Taillon has been sent down to minor league camp by the Pirates, but this doesn’t mean it will be the last time you see him this year.
As with Gerrit Cole last year, the Pirates gave Taillon a second small helping of big league spring training to get used to the staff, players and the feel for the major league game before going back to minor league camp to get prepared for the start of the AAA season. It was a different feel for him this time around as he was able to focus on his game more.
“I remember last year I was pretty rattled looking at the schedule and just worrying about where I needed to be and all that nonsense, but this year, I know how to approach it,” said Taillon. “I know all of the coaches, I know all of the players for the most part, so this year it’s all about baseball and nothing else.”
Taillon is also more accustomed to AAA, where the atmosphere was different than the other levels he played in.
“I saw it in AAA,” said Taillon. “Guys were going up and down everyday and that’s something I’ve never been exposed to before, so it definitely gives you a feel you’re getting close and with some hard work you can be up there and contributing.”
Last year, Taillon posted a 5 – 10 record between AA Altoona and AA Indianapolis while posting a 3.73 ERA (1.324 WHIP) while striking out striking out 143 and walking 52. The numbers may not seem phenomenal, but the goal for the righty was to improve, which he did as he has added a changeup to his arsenal with one of the best curveball’s in the league.
That changeup has been the focal point over the offseason and in spring training as he looks to fine-tune it into another lethal pitch.
“Just throwing it,” said Taillon. “You got to throw it to be comfortable throwing it, so i’m throwing it in games, i’m throwing it in catch, flat grounds, bullpens. I’m making sure I stay on top of it and keep throwing it and stay sharp with it.”
If all goes according to plan, Taillon will be back alongside his friend Gerrit Cole, who he has kept tabs on after Cole’s promotion to the Pirates last season.
“It was cool,” said Taillon. “I wasn’t surprised by it, you know. I thought he was ready and there’s no spot too big for him, so it didn’t really shock me that he was doing so well. I think I watched every start of his, at least a little bit. He’s the first guy I know on a personal level that’s in the big leagues, so getting to see him go about his business and succeed was really neat.”
Everyone is hoping that Taillon can make the impact that Cole did in his debut season to help bring playoff baseball back to the Steel City for a second-straight season. It would be something that he would enjoy as well after watching last year’s postseason in Bradenton.
“I was here at Pirate City getting ready for instruct’s and getting ready to go out to the fall league in Arizona,” said Taillon. “I was sitting with some of the coordinators that have been with us for a long time and some players that I’ve come up through the system with. I just remember talking about how we all had chills the whole time. Those fans deserve it. They’re one of the best in baseball and it was just really cool to see. That whole city came alive.”
Taillon thinks the Pirates can sustain a winning attitude for years to come with the way the organization has built it’s farm system.
“There’s just a good feel about the organization right now all the way up,” said Taillon. “From the Dominican and rookie ball all the way up to the big leagues, so I think it starts with our coaches and development staff. They’re doing a great job and the players are putting their work in. I think what makes it extra special is there are a lot of high-character guys, a lot of really good individual guys, so it’s cool to see so many guys doing so well and getting the national attention.”
(Photo Credit: David Manning, USA TODAY Sports)
