Philly Draft Pick Has Ties to Dillon

Jamie Callahan and Kwinton Smith weren’t the only Major League Baseball draft picks with ties to Dillon.

Zach Taylor, current Armstrong Atlantic State outfielder, was selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 12th round as the 398th selection.

Taylor, who graduated from Statesboro High School in Statesboro, Georgia, is the son of Steve Taylor and Susan Knight Tyler of Statesboro. His grandparents are Ray and Judy Knight of Dillon, John Taylor of Statesboro, and Judy Hannah of Florence, South Carolina.

Taylor expects to sign with Philadelphia and forgo his final season of college eligibility to play professionally.

Taylor was previously drafted in 2009 after a standout high school career. He was picked by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 31st round, but declined the offer to accept a scholarship with the University of Georgia.

After a year there, he transferred to Santa Fe Junior College for the 2011 season, and finally arrived at Armstrong Atlantic State for the 2012 season. Taylor says the moves were tough to adapt to, but ultimately feels they helped prepare him for the life of a pro athlete.

This season, the 6-foot-3, 215-pound left-hander was named Peach Belt Conference Player of the Year, and was named to the Division II All-America team. He was also voted Co-Player of the Year by the National College Baseball Writers Association.

In his junior year of college, he batted .373 with 15 home runs and 71 runs batted in. His home run and and RBI totals bested all players in the Peach Belt Conference. He also stole 21-of-25 bases.
Taylor helped lead Armstrong to the Peach Belt Conference Tournament title and a berth in the NCAA Division II Regionals.

After officially signing on with Philly on Tuesday, June 12, Taylor was off to Clearwater, Florida, for a physical and will be staying there or heading to Lakewood, New Jersey, to play for one of the Phillies’ Class-A organizations.