MICHAEL A. TAYLOR NEWS

Royals extend center fielder Michael A. Taylor: What his new contract says about their future Defense dictated this signing, especially because of the Royals' bevy of young starting pitchers. Can Taylor deliver more on offense, too?

OCTOBER 1, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Michael A. Taylor, Royals agree to $9M, 2-year deal

Outfielder Michael A

SEPTEMBER 29, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Lands extension with Kansas City Taylor signed a two-year, $9 million contract extension with the Royals on Wednesday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Impact In his first season in Kansas City, Taylor has been a decent back-end fantasy contributor with a .244 average, 14 home runs and 14 stolen bases, but his 79 wRC+ has made him less than productive at the dish from a real-life standpoint. Kansas City still deemed Taylor worthy of an extension largely due to his elite defense in center field; the 30-year-old currently ranks first among all outfielders this season in Outs Above Average, Defensive Runs Saved and Ultimate Zone Rating. He'll likely take home his first Gold Glove Award this offseason.

SEPTEMBER 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Royals sign Taylor to extension through 2023 The Royals announced on Wednesday that they have agreed to a two-year extension with center fielder Michael A. Taylor that will cover the 20...

SEPTEMBER 29, 2021 • MLB.COM

Kansas City Royals get Taylor back in lineup; Hernández done starting for this season Royals center fielder Michael A. Taylor rejoined the team for the final homestand. Carlos Hernández won’t make any more starts, but could be...

SEPTEMBER 28, 2021 • KANSASCITY.COM

Activated, starting Taylor (personal) was reinstated from the bereavement list ahead of Tuesday's game against Cleveland, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Impact Taylor had been away from the team since Friday, but he'll start in center field and bat eighth in Tuesday's matchup against Cleveland. Across five appearances prior to his absence, the 30-year-old went 5-for-16 with a homer, two doubles, two runs, two RBI and two stolen bases.

SEPTEMBER 28, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

On bereavement list The Royals placed Taylor on the bereavement list Friday, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

Impact The outfielder will miss between three and seven games, meaning he can return no sooner than Monday in Cleveland. Edward Olivares was recalled from Triple-A Omaha to temporarily fill Taylor's roster spot.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

On bench for night game Taylor will sit for the second game of Monday's doubleheader against Cleveland, Joel Goldberg of Bally Sports Kansas City reports.

Impact Taylor went 0-for-2 with a walk and a run scored in the first game of the day. Kyle Isbel takes over in center field for the evening contest.

SEPTEMBER 20, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Swipes bag in loss Taylor went 1-for-2 with a stolen base in Sunday's 7-1 loss to the Mariners.

Impact Taylor notched a single his first time up to bat in the third and would end up stealing second for his 13th stolen base of the year. The 30-year-old outfielder has reached base in nine straight games now and is slashing .247/.300/.361 with 12 home runs, 52 RBI, 55 runs scored and 32:136 BB:K over 498 plate appearances.

SEPTEMBER 20, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Slams 12th homer Taylor went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, a double and an additional RBI in Saturday's 8-1 victory over the Mariners.

Impact The veteran outfielder was one of six Royals with multiple base knocks in the contest, but he was the only batter with more than one extra-base hit. Taylor's third-inning double plated Kansas City's third run of the contest, and he followed with a solo home in the fifth to tack onto the team's lead. The long ball was Taylor's first since Aug. 29.

SEPTEMBER 19, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Back from medical emergency list Taylor (personal) has been reinstated from the family medical emergency list and will start Friday's game against the Mariners in center field, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Impact Taylor has been away from the club since last Saturday to attend to a personal matter. He'll rejoin the active roster for the series opener against Seattle and figures to continue serving as the primary center fielder going forward.

SEPTEMBER 17, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

On family medical emergency leave The Royals placed Taylor on the family medical emergency list Saturday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Impact The outfielder will be away from the team for an indefinite time. Kyle Isbel was recalled from Triple-A Omaha to fill Taylor's active roster spot.

SEPTEMBER 12, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Drives in three runs Taylor went 3-for-4 with three RBI in Friday's 7-3 win over the White Sox.

Impact Taylor got the Royals on the board with an RBI groundout in the second inning. He then poked a pair of RBI singles in the third and fifth frames. It was his eighth multi-hit game since the start of August and he's hitting .272 with 12 RBI during that span. Taylor improved his slash line to .247/.302/.361 through 455 plate appearances.

SEPTEMBER 4, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Cranks 11th home run Taylor went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Sunday's 4-3 loss to the Mariners.

Impact Taylor went deep off Marco Gonzales in the seventh inning to tie the game. He extended his hitting streak to six games. The 30-year-old is slashing .246/.303/.364 with 11 homers, 45 RBI, 51 runs and 12 steals over 438 plate appearances.

AUGUST 30, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Notches stolen base Taylor went 1-for-3 with a double and a stolen base in Tuesday's 4-0 loss to Houston.

Impact The outfielder was part of Kansas City's best chance to get on the board in the third inning. He doubled and stole third as part of a double-steal with Jarrod Dyson. Taylor was then caught trying to steal home to end the inning, which marked the last time a Royal got beyond second base in the contest. The 30-year-old is now 12-for-17 in stolen base attempts this year. He's added a .241/.301/.358 slash line with 10 home runs, 43 RBI and 49 runs scored in 416 plate appearances.

AUGUST 25, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Contributes steal in win Taylor went 1-for-3 with a walk and a stolen base in Saturday's 4-2 win over the Cubs.

Impact Four of Taylor's 11 stolen bases this year have come in 17 games in August. The outfielder has a less-than-spectacular .239/.298/.356 slash line through 404 plate appearances, but he's contributed 10 home runs, 42 RBI and 46 runs scored in a near-everyday role.

AUGUST 22, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Not in lineup Taylor will sit Thursday against the Astros, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

Impact Taylor has been the Royals' clear primary center fielder this season, but that's as much due to a lack of alternatives as anything else, as his .242/.300/.359 slash line is far from impressive. Jarrod Dyson, who's hit an even worse .212/.244/.310, will get the nod in his absence.

AUGUST 19, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Three hits in loss Taylor went 3-for-4 with an RBI in Saturday's 9-4 loss to St. Louis.

Impact The center fielder has been a bit hit or miss lately, with four multi-hit efforts and four hitless games in his last 10 contests. All three of Taylor's hits Saturday were singles. He's up to a .246/.303/.364 slash line with 10 home runs, 10 stolen bases, 41 RBI and 46 runs scored through 379 plate appearances. The 30-year-old continues to see the bulk of the playing time in center field.

AUGUST 15, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Not starting Friday Taylor is out of the lineup Friday against the Cardinals.

Impact Taylor started the past five games and will take a seat Friday. Jarrod Dyson will start in center field and bat ninth.

AUGUST 13, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

On base three times in win Taylor went 2-for-3 with a double, a walk, a stolen base and a run scored in Tuesday's 8-4 win over the Yankees.

Impact The 30-year-old has put up three multi-hit efforts and three stolen bases in his last six games. Taylor has a .243/.302/.364 slash line with 10 home runs, 10 stolen bases, 40 RBI and 46 runs scored through 371 plate appearances. He'll continue to provide a mix of speed and some power in the bottom half of the Kansas City lineup.

AUGUST 11, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Notches ninth steal Taylor went 2-for-4 with an RBI single, a stolen base and a run scored in Sunday's 6-5 win over St. Louis.

Impact The outfielder got Kansas City on the board by knocking in Carlos Santana in the fourth inning. Taylor is in a bit of a groove, going 6-for-15 (.400) with a home run, three RBI, two stolen bases and three runs scored across his last four games. He's posted a .242/.301/.364 slash line in 362 plate appearances overall.

AUGUST 9, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Day off Friday Taylor will sit Friday against the Cardinals.

Impact Taylor hits the bench for the first time in two weeks. He owns a modest .674 OPS in the 12 games since his last absence, though that was enough to raise his season OPS to .662. Jarrod Dyson starts in center field Friday.

AUGUST 6, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Registers steal in win Taylor went 1-for-3 with a walk and a stolen base in Thursday's 3-2 win over the White Sox.

Impact Taylor is now 3-for-7 over his last two games after enduring an 0-for-12 skid in the four contests prior. The outfielder hasn't stood out in any one way with a .239/.299/.363 slash line, 10 home runs, eight stolen bases, 38 RBI and 43 runs scored through 98 games. He's seen consistent playing time as a near-everyday option in center field.

AUGUST 6, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Blasts 10th long ball Taylor went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, a double and two total runs Wednesday in a win over the White Sox.

Impact Taylor banged one of four Royals homers in the contest, going deep to left field in the fourth inning. His two-hit performance snapped a four-game stretch in which he failed to get a hit over 12 at-bats. Taylor is slashing .238/.297/.364 with 10 homers, 38 RBI and seven stolen bases across 350 plate appearances this season.

AUGUST 5, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Hits solo shot in win Taylor went 1-for-2 with a home run, two RBI and a walk in Thursday's win over the White Sox.

Impact The outfielder launched his ninth homer of the year in the second inning off starter Carlos Rodon, and he later added another RBI via a sac fly in the fifth that scored Jorge Soler. Taylor has hit safely in five of his last six games and also snapped a 15-game homer drought with his blast. He might be hitting just .244 on the year, but that figure rises to a more respectable .274 in 62 at-bats this month.

JULY 30, 2021 • ROTOWIRE