Pittsburgh Pirates Call Up Top Prospect Jameson Taillon

The Pittsburgh Pirates have promoted right-handed pitcher Jameson Taillon, their former top pick, to the major leagues, the team announced Tuesday afternoon.

Jameson Taillon, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2010 MLB draft, has been called up to the Pittsburgh Pirates and is set to debut on Wednesday, when the Pirates take on the New York Mets.

Francisco Liriano was supposed to pitch on Wednesday, but instead he has been pushed back to Saturday when the Pirates host the St. Louis Cardinals, manager Clint Hurdle told the media. As for Taillon, it’s unclear at this point if he is just making a spot start or will stick in the Pirates’ rotation going forward. Taillon has certainly pitched well enough to earn a promotion, but Hurdle told reporters there is “no guarantee” that Taillon will remain in the rotation after Wednesday’s start.

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Taillon began his professional career at the age of 19 in 2011, but prior to this season hadn’t actually pitched in organized professional baseball since 2013, due to multiple injuries. Since being drafted, Taillon has undergone Tommy John surgery and battled a hernia injury. Those injuries may have slowed his development, but Taillon returned to pitch this season, and has quite simply been excellent.

In 10 starts, Taillon has a 4-2 record, with a 2.04 ERA in 61.2 innings. Taillon leads all of Triple-A in WHIP (0.81) and FIP (1.93) this season. He has faced 236 batters and walked just six, while striking out 61.

The Pirates have had success drafting pitchers in the last five years. Gerrit Cole, of course, was the No. 1 pick in the 2011 draft, and has developed into Pittsburgh’s ace. That same year, the Pirates drafted Tyler Glasnow in the fifth round. Glasnow, a 6’8″ right-hander, is regarded as the Pirates’ No. 1 prospect, according to MLB.com. Taillon, according to that same ranking, is fourth.

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Taillon may just be making a spot start when he faces off against Noah Syndergaard and the defending National League champion New York Mets on Wednesday, or he may ultimately be given an opportunity to stay in the rotation. It sounds like the Pirates haven’t made that determination yet, but Jameson Taillon, six years after being drafted and having dealt with multiple serious injuries, is now getting a shot to pitch in the major leagues.