01/17/2014 - 2014 Softball Factory All-America Pre-Season Tournament Taylor is a sophomore outfielder that was selected to play in the Pre-Season All-American game. Defensively, Taylor has an athletic fielding position with a controlled approach. When receiving the ball, Taylor has clean hands and transitions well into her throwing position. She also has active and effective footwork and takes good angles when approaching the ball. Offensively, Taylor uses an athletic setup with a hands back load and short stride to make a positive move to the ball. She has an explosive lower half and blocks well with her front side before moving through the zone with her hands. Taylor has quick bat speed fluid and on time rhythm, which leads her to consistently make hard contact. She does a good job of letting the ball travel to its correct contact points and extending through the zone. Overall, Taylor is an athletic player that will continue to grow and develop.
10/23/2013 - Ronald McDonald Tournament - 16U Taylor returns to SF for another PD event as a talented outfielder with a well-balanced skill set. Defensively, she fields with sure hands, uses quick and fluid footwork and takes good, athletic routes to various balls. Working on trusting your instincts will help her to improve fielding efficiency and range. Overall, Taylor is an aggressive athlete and has a confident approach to playing defense. At the plate, she uses an athletic set up with a smooth load, explosive hips and keeps her balance centered before launching to the ball with a level swing. She shows good power and will benefit from a more selective hitting zone and bat extension to improve power at point of contact, ultimately allowing her to access the entire field effectively. Overall, she has a natural talent, desire to finesse her skill set and has a solid athletic ability to help aid in her continued development as a player.
08/13/2013 - College PREP - Elgin (Chicago), IL Taylor continues to improve and impress as a versatile young player with potetial. In the OF, Taylor again showed sharp jumps off the bat and solid closing speed when running balls down. She has improved her arm strength and can now begin to eliminate steps to throw to quicken her release. As a 3B, Taylor has a tough approach and will body up to keep the ball in front before picking it up with her bare hand to make the quick throw. She will benefit from improving her glove position out front with her fiingers down while adding arm strength remains a priority. At the plate, Taylor has implimented a stride but still uses no load before launching to contact with centered balance. She continues to be a good contact hitter, has a level path and will enjoy added improvement if she stays through the ball and gets aggressive through the zone with added bat speed.
05/19/2013 - College PREP - St. Louis, MO Taylor is an advanced athlete. As an OF, she has good foot speed, sets well under the ball, and reads the ball accurately off the bat. Focusing on implementing a throwing regiment to increase arm strength, staying down and through groundballs, and utilizing her lower half will increase efficiency and fielding success. As a hitter, she has a short bat path with quick bat speed that produces consistent contact. Focusing on timing, implementing a load and stride, and utilizing the lower half will increase power and efficiency. Overall, Taylor is on track for seeking collegiate attention.
Lea Ann Jarvis is the Senior Director of Softball Operations.