| Jameson Taillon | |
|---|---|
.png) Taillon with theNew York Yankees in 2021 | |
| Chicago Cubs – No. 50 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1991-11-18)November 18, 1991 (age 34) Lakeland, Florida, U.S. | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| June 8, 2016, for the Pittsburgh Pirates | |
| MLB statistics (through 2025 season) | |
| Win–loss record | 82–60 |
| Earned run average | 3.87 |
| Strikeouts | 1,073 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| |
Jameson Lee Taillon (/ˈtaɪoʊn/TY-ohn; born November 18, 1991) is a Canadian-American professionalbaseballpitcher for theChicago Cubs ofMajor League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for thePittsburgh Pirates andNew York Yankees.
The Pirates chose Taillon as the second overall pick in the2010 MLB draft, just behind future All-StarBryce Harper. He made his MLB debut in 2016. The Pirates traded Taillon to the Yankees before the 2021 season and he signed with the Cubs after the 2022 season.
Jameson Taillon was born inLakeland, Florida to Christie and Michael Taillon on November 18, 1991.[1][2] Taillon attendedThe Woodlands High School inTexas. He caught the attention ofscouts with a 22–6win–loss record in his high school career. He was 8–1 during hissenior year and threw a 19-strikeoutno-hitter against rivalConroe High School on March 23, 2010.[3][4]
Prior to the2010 MLB draft,Fangraphs called Taillon the best high school pitching prospect sinceJosh Beckett(1999).[5]Baseball America compared him to pitchers likeStephen Strasburg.[6] ThePittsburgh Pirates selected Taillon with the second overall selection of the draft. He had signed aNational Letter of Intent withRice University in November 2009 posing a challenge to the Pirates in their effort to sign him.[7][8] However, hours before the signing deadline, thePittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that Taillon had indeed signed with the Pirates.[9]Baseball America'sJim Callis reported that Taillon's deal included a $6.5 millionsigning bonus, the second-highest in draft history.[10]
Taillon made his professional debut with theWest Virginia Power against theHagerstown Suns on April 27, 2011. He joined the team on April 24 after staying in Florida for an extended spring training assignment.[11] He spent the whole season with the Power, going 2–3 with a 3.98earned run average (ERA) in 23 starts.[citation needed]
Taillon was named to appear in the 2012All-Star Futures Game.[12] He began the season with theBradenton Marauders and he was promoted to theAltoona Curve in August 2012.[13] In his first week with the Curve, August 20–26, 2012, Taillon was named theEastern League pitcher of the week.[14] In 26 starts between the two teams, he was 9–8 with a 3.55 ERA.[citation needed]
Prior to the 2013 season, Taillon was ranked as the 15th best prospect in baseball byMLB.com.[15] Taillon participated in the2013 World Baseball Classic forTeam Canada, being the youngest member of the team at age 21.[16] He began the season with Altoona and was promoted to theIndianapolis Indians in August. In 26 games (25 starts) between both clubs, Taillon compiled a 5–10 record and 3.73 ERA.
Taillon underwentTommy John surgery in April 2014 to repair damage to theulnar collateral ligament of the elbow in his throwing arm, costing him the 2014 season.[17] A hernia surgery caused him to miss the 2015 season.[1]
Taillon returned in 2016 with the Pirates, where he made 10 starts before earning his first major league call-up. Taillon went 4–2 with a 2.04 ERA, striking out 61 in 61.2 innings and walking only 6. On June 8, Taillon was recalled to make a spot start with the Pirates, who decided to push backFrancisco Liriano's start one day after they played a doubleheader the day before.[18] Facing off against fellow 2010 first rounderNoah Syndergaard in his debut, Taillon threw 6 innings, giving up 3 runs on 6 hits, 2 walks, and 3 strikeouts, not receiving a decision in the eventual 6–5 loss. After the game, Taillon was optioned back to Triple-A, but not without receiving compliments from his manager,Clint Hurdle, on his effort, saying, "This kid's poured into everything he's done. It's been a great fight back."[19] However, his stay in Indianapolis was very brief, as an injury toGerrit Cole necessitated a move to bring Taillon back into the rotation.[20] On June 14, Taillon made his second start, also against the Mets, throwing 8 scoreless innings, carrying a no-hitter into the seventh before it was broken up byCurtis Granderson, and recording his first win in the 4–0 victory.[citation needed] In July, he was hit in the head by a batted ball.[1] Taillon spent the remainder of 2016 with Pittsburgh. In 18 starts, he compiled a 5–4 record and a 3.38 ERA.[21]
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Taillon was in the Pirates'starting rotation in 2017. He was placed on the disabled list in May as he underwent surgery for testicular cancer.[22] Taillon made his first rehabilitation start three weeks later, giving up one run in three innings.[23] He returned to the mound for the Pirates on June 12.[24] In 25 starts during the 2017 season, he pitched to an 8–7 record and 4.44 ERA.[21]
In the 2018 season, Taillon pitched to a 3.20 ERA in 32 starts. He was 14–10 in 191 innings. He tied for the major league lead in complete games with two.[21]
In 2019, Taillon's season was cut short due to a forearm injury. He was shut down for the remainder of the season on August 2, 2019; he was 2–3 with a 4.10 ERA in 7 starts.[25] On August 14, he underwent surgery to repair a flexor tendon as well as UCL revision. Taillon did not make an appearance in the 2020 season.[21]
On January 24, 2021, the Pirates traded Taillon to theNew York Yankees for prospectsMiguel Yajure,Roansy Contreras, Maikol Escotto, andCanaan Smith-Njigba.[26] He was named the American LeaguePitcher of the Month in July, posting a 1.16 ERA.[27] He finished the 2021 season with an 8–6 record in 29 starts with a 4.30 ERA and 140 strikeouts in144+1⁄3 innings.[21] On June 2, 2022, Taillon pitched seven perfect innings against the Los Angeles Angels. This bid was broken up by aJared Walsh double in the eighth inning.[28]
On December 19, 2022, Taillon signed a four-year deal worth $68 million with theChicago Cubs.[29]
Taillon appeared in 30 games in 2023, with 29 of them being starts. He went 8-10 with a 4.84 ERA and 140 strikeouts across 154.1 innings.[30]
On March 12, 2024, Cubs managerCraig Counsell informed reporters that Taillon would likely be starting the 2024 season on the injured list with lower back tightness.[31][32] Taillon appeared in 28 games in 2024, went 12-8 with a 3.27 ERA and 125 strikeouts across 165.1 innings.[33]
On April 27, 2025, Taillon recorded his 1,000 strikeout against thePhiladelphia Phillies when he struck outBryson Stott in the top of the first inning.
Taillon underwent surgery for testicular cancer on May 8, 2017.[34][35] He had one testicle removed.[1] As of 2019, he was cancer-free.[36]
Taillon's parents are Canadian, and he holds citizenship in both countries.[37]
| Awards and achievements | ||
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| Preceded by | American League Pitcher of the Month July 2021 | Succeeded by |