Brandon Taylor to switch positions

[Chris]

From Nathan:

 

Taylor to Switch Positions, Back to Mesa

Third baseman will try hand at pitching

 

PEORIA, IL— The first half Western Division Champion Peoria Chiefs in conjunction with the Chicago Cubs have announced that third baseman Brandon Taylor has been transferred from the Midwest League roster to Extended Spring Training in Mesa, AZ. The third baseman is going to begin a transformation from the hot corner to the mound and could be back in Peoria at some point this season as a pitcher.

 

Taylor, drafted in the 17th round in 2005 out of Brigham Young, started 47 games at third base and batted .211 with three homers and 18 RBI for the Chiefs this season. He threw a side session in Davenport, IA prior to the Chiefs game on Saturday and was clocked in the 90-91 MPH range with his fastball.

 

The Chiefs have not yet added a replacement for Taylor and head into the three game series at Wisconsin on Monday with just 22 players on the 25-man roster. The Chiefs are currently carrying 11 pitchers and 11 position players. Peoria is 2-1 on the half and 43-30 on the season as they send Todd Blackford (6-2) against RH Ruben Flores (1-5) Monday night at 7:05 PM in Appleton.

[karenmac]

thanks much for the news...we'll miss Brandon, Aubrey and Oakley while they're in Mesa. Brandon seemed to have a great glove defensively at 3rd. Hopefully he'll be back soon.

 

Getting down to only 22 on the roster has got to be tough, hopefully they'll be back to full strength soon.