Nelly Taylor reflects on his draft experience and gives a preview of what Red Sox fans can expect

Photo Courtesy: The Boston Globe

In the 11th round of the 2023 MLB Draft, the Red Sox added a talented outfielder in Nelly Taylor with the 328th overall pick. Taylor caught the Red Sox’s eye due to his combination of power and speed. Although his focus will now shift to starting his pro career, for Taylor, the draft process was something he will never forget.

“It was exciting for me and my family because we knew my name would be called,” Taylor told Beyond the Monster. “It was just a matter of when I would get the call from my advisor to hopefully make an agreement on whether it was the right choice to go or not.”

The Red Sox made a convincing argument as they agreed on a deal with the Florida native. In his last year as an Eagle, Taylor posted a .353 batting average and drove in 48 runs. While he excelled offensively, Taylor was also a leader.

“I would say my leadership and my defense are my biggest assets,” Taylor said. “I’m very vocal in the field and can run the ball down pretty well. I also bring a ton of energy to the field that no one can take away from me.”

While Taylor’s energy will be a welcomed addition, he starts his pro career after an impressive run at Polk State. His list of accolades includes a first-team All-Suncoast Conference selection, Suncoast Conference Defensive Player of the Year honors, a second-team All-FCSAA selection, and an FCSAA and Rawlings Gold Glove recipient.

During his time in Lakeland, Taylor was able to take his game to another level while learning from his mistakes.

Photo Courtesy: PBR Florida JUCO

“Polk State allowed me to get a feel for myself and make mistakes,” Taylor said. As a freshman, I struggled a lot, but Polk State gave me the opportunities to learn from my mistakes and trust the process in my development.”

Although Taylor had to make adjustments, he is no stranger to adversity. He was diagnosed with cancer at five years old when a Wilms tumor was found on his kidney. As a result, he had his kidney removed but has been cancer-free since the age of six.

Now Taylor is living out his dream with his professional career just starting. When fans show up at the ballpark, Taylor should be a player that stands out, as when asked how to describe his game, the talented outfielder did not disappoint.

“ Pure entertainment,” said Taylor. “ You come to the field, and you may see me have a really good day, and of course, that’s a bonus, but it’s the days where I don’t do as well Where I can continue to be myself and understand that the game is about how levelheaded you can in moments where you’re facing adversity. As a leader, I had to learn to pick myself and my teammates up, even when I’m not having a great game.”

While Taylor’s Red Sox career is just beginning, he is already an easy player to root for.

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