HOUSTON (AP) — Grant Taylor made quite the first impression on the Chicago White Sox in his major league debut.
Taylor retired the side in order in the seventh inning of at Houston. The right-hander hit 101.5 mph on his first pitch, a ball to Victor Caratini.
Taylor, one of the rebuilding team’s top prospects, was brought up from Double-A Birmingham before the series-opening win against the Astros. Right-hander Bryse Wilson was designated for assignment.
Taylor retired Caratini on a fly to center. Cam Smith bounced to shortstop on a 100 mph fastball, and Jacob Melton also grounded out on an 86.9 mph curveball.
The 23-year-old Taylor was selected by Chicago in the second round of the 2023 amateur draft out of LSU, where he was a teammate of Pittsburgh ace Paul Skenes.
Taylor, listed at 6-foot-3 and 230 pounds, went 0-1 with a 1.01 ERA in 15 games for Birmingham. He struck out 37 in 26 2/3 innings.
He has never pitched at the Triple-A level. He began the season in the Barons’ rotation and made his first relief appearance on May 14.
The 27-year-old Wilson is 0-2 with a 6.95 ERA in 19 appearances for Chicago this season, including five starts.
___
AP MLB:
