Keith Taylor is a starting RHP for the Scoutz USA Pirates 2021 CLPB season. Taylor is from Jackson, Georgia where he attended Jackson High School. Taylor will be attending Florence-Darlington Technical College for his Redshirt-Freshman year. Taylor’s CLPB 2021 stats are a 4.15 ERA in 4 appearances with a 3-0 record and 16 strikeouts in 17.1 innings pitched.
Q: What made you want to play in the CLPB this summer?
A: Coach Roger recommended me to play in the CLPB this summer. He knew it was going to be a great opportunity to face good competition, so I decided to sign up. As well as get a lot more innings under my belt.
Q: What kind of teammate would you say you are and why? Ex: Vocal Leader, Leader by Example, Energized Player.
A: I would say I am a leader by example. I am not really the talkative type, but I do work extremely hard, and I feel like that motivates others to do well. I do cheer on my teammates throughout the game, encouraging them to do their best. When I am out on the mound, I try to stay locked in as much as possible.
Q: What made you decide to go to Florence-Darlington Technical College?
A: Florence-Darlington is a great school with a great baseball program. I decided to go there because of the winning culture that has been built there and I am all about winning. I want to be a part of something special and potentially win a JUCO World Series. They can also develop athletes and mold kids into great men.
Q: What are you most excited about when it comes to playing college baseball? What are looking to improve on as a pitcher?
A: What I am most excited about when it comes to playing college baseball is that I get the chance to live out a dream I had since I was a kid. Getting the rush of playing the game I grew up loving. A lot of players do not get to make it that far, so I want to work hard and keep playing as long as God allows me to. The most focus I have on improving myself as a pitcher would be mechanics. I feel like mechanics is everything. Once you get that figured out, then the command will come. Once command comes then velocity will follow. You stick to that plan then your confidence will skyrocket.
Q: What would you say is your greatest baseball achievement at any level?
A: My greatest achievement at any level would have to be in high school when our team won 22 games in a row. That was probably the most fun I had playing the sport. Just feeling unstoppable as a team and building confidence in yourself and as a whole. We created so many memories from that time that no one cannot take from us.
Q: If you were not in school for baseball, what would you be doing? Why?
A: I believe I would be in real estate. I had an interest in real estate for a long time. I was fascinated by the business process and how you can make money by selling property, flipping houses, remodeling property. Whatever the case may be. I feel like it would be a great challenge that I can succeed at.
Q: You are currently 3-0 in 4 starts this season with 16 strikeouts through 17.1 IP. What is it that has gotten you to lead your team to multiple wins?
A: I work hard every day with a winning mindset, also having confidence in my stuff. If I am on the mound, I feel like my ability to play the game will put my team in the best situation to win games. I try competing every pitch and strive to be the best on the field. I want to win at all costs. I understand that some days I will struggle to find the zone but all you can do is try and limit the damage and compete. Winning is the most important factor.
Q: When it comes to baseball, who is your role model? Why?
A: My role model is Jacob deGrom. He converted from shortstop to pitcher late in his college career and has done nothing but unbelievable things in the game that I applaud. I was a 3rd baseman my freshman year at North Carolina A&T before Covid-19 hit, and so when I decided to transfer, Coach Roger believed I had a bright future in pitching. I was discouraged for a while, thinking I must restart all over again. Then I heard about the deGrom story, and I was thinking, “I can be just like that.” So, I watch videos on deGrom all the time on how he prepares, his mechanics, all the above knowing I can at least make it to the major league level.
Q: If you had to pick one MLB team you wanted to be drafted to, where would it be? Why?
A: I would say the Atlanta Braves. It is the hometown team, and I am all about hometown sports. I grew up a Braves fan, I grew up going to plenty of Braves games as a kid dying to be on the field. It would be a dream come true if I am able to play for the Atlanta Braves.