Taylor Lewis

TAYLOR LEWIS	CENTER FIELDER
	Born: December 18, 1989 Height: 6′ 1″ Weight: 205 Bats: Left Throws: Left Drafted: 10th Round, 302nd Overall, 2011 How Acquired: Draft College: University of Maine Agent: N/A

WTM’S PIRATE PLAYER PROFILES

Lewis was rated the fifth best prospect in upper New England by Baseball America. He’s a line drive hitter with gap power and some power potential, and he runs a 6.5 60 yard dash. He is a good defender, with the exception of his arm. He signed quickly after the draft.

2011
A-: 188/319/269, 186 AB, 1 2B, 7 3B, 34 BB, 43 K, 16-20, SB

Lewis got off to a miserable start at State College, hitting .105 in June, and never really broke out of it. He drew a lot of walks and had only slightly fewer walks than strikeouts, but a little less than one strikeout every four ABs is a lot for somebody who’s not hitting for much power. Lewis did show very good speed, between the triples and the steals. He was the regular center fielder and recorded six assists with only one error.

2012
A: 244/309/368, 250 AB, 7 2B, 6 3B, 4 HR, 22 BB, 61 K, 20-24 SB

Lewis started 2012 in extended spring training and didn’t join West Virginia even when Josh Bell got hurt. He finally joined the Power at the end of June, when Carlos Mesa moved up to Bradenton. He started off hot, but slumped in July before rebounding a little in August. He had an OK walk rate, stole bases very well, and showed some gap power, but he struck out a lot. He had no platoon split at all. Lewis played mainly left, but saw some time in right and played center when Gregory Polanco was hurt.

2013
A+: 207/265/334, 323 AB, 11 2B, 12 3B, 2 HR, 22 BB, 103 K, 17-20 SB

Lewis opened the season as Bradenton’s left fielder. He struggled all year, except for a good month of July when he hit 269/361/442. He had only a small platoon split as he didn’t hit anybody well. Lewis continued to show good speed, leading the league easily in triples and stealing bases effectively.

2014
A+: 246/283/341, 138 AB, 1 2B, 3 3B, 2 HR, 6 BB, 26 K, 10-16 SB

Lewis started the season in extended spring training, then returned to Bradenton in early May. He served as a fourth outfielder, splitting his time between left and center, until he got hurt in early July and missed the rest of the season. When he played, his hitting was just marginally better than the previous year.

Fun fact: Lewis has more triples (28) in his pro career than doubles (20).

Lewis hasn’t made much progress. If he returns in 2015, it’s likely to be back at Bradenton.

STATS

Baseball Reference–Minors
Fangraphs
MiLB.com

NCAA	BA	OBP	SLG	AB	2B	3B	HR	BB	K	SB	CS
2010	.369	.430	.626	214	14	13	5	23	36	21	1
2011	.287	.367	.412	216	8	5	3	28	31	20	4

CONTRACT INFORMATION

2015: Minor league contract.

PLAYER INFORMATION

Signing Bonus: $100,000
MiLB Debut: 2011
MLB Debut:
MiLB FA Eligible: 2017.
MLB FA Eligible:
Rule 5 Eligible: 2014.
Added to 40-Man:
Options Remaining: 3
MLB Service Time: 0.000

TRANSACTIONS

June 7, 2011: Drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 10th round, 302nd overall pick; signed on June 13.