Ben Taylor

Ben signed a minor league contract with an invitation to major league Spring Training, December 14, 2019 ... is 0-1 with one save and a 5.40 ERA (14 ER/23.1 IP) in 20 major league appearances with the Red Sox (2017) and Indians (2018) ... Has gone 11-10 with a 3.42 ERA (100 ER/263.0 IP) in 156 minor league outings, including 13 starts ... spent the entire 2019 season with Triple-A Reno in the Diamondbacks system, posting a 5.63 ERA (35 ER/56.0 IP) in 46 relief outings ... Originally selected by the Red Sox in the seventh round of the 2015 draft ... Attended the University of South Alabama (2014-15) and Chattahoochee Valley Community College (2012-13) ... named to the All-Sun Belt First Team as a senior ... Graduated from Brewbaker Technology Magnet (Ala.) High School.

2019

Ben spent the entire regular season with Triple-A Reno in the Arizona system ... signed a minor league contract in April after being released by Cleveland at the end of Spring Training ... Went 3-4 with four saves and a 5.63 ERA (35 ER/56.0 IP) in 46 relief outings with Reno. 

2018

Spent most of his first season in the Indians organization in AAA Columbus and appeared in six games with the Major League club around two stints in May (5/2-6; 5/26-30)...Was claimed off outright waivers on Feb. 25 after being designated by the Red Sox at the outset of Spring Training...Was outrighted off 40-man by Cleveland at the end of spring training before being re-selected on May 2...Allowed runs in each of his last four outings with the Indians...During his tenure with the Clippers he led the club in appearances and relief innings and limited Int'l League hitters to a .204 average against, fanning 70 in 57.1 innings (11.0 batters per 9.0 IP) against just 9 walks...Over his last 12 outings (all in August) he posted a 0.61 ERA (14.2IP, 7H, 1R/ER, 17SO)...Left-handed hitters batted .141 (11-for-78) and batters hit .157 (11-for-70) with RISP...Anticipated to be ready for most activity at the start of spring training with running restrictions and volume after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right hip (labrum repair surgery) on Sept. 26 in Dallas, TX (Dr. William Robertson)...Game activity may be delayed until late February/early March. 

2017

Made his first Opening Day roster in 2017 after attending spring training with the Red Sox as a non-roster invitee...Had never pitched above the AA level prior to 2017...Since 1981, the only other Red Sox to make an Opening Day roster without experience above AA are Shea Hillenbrand (2001) and Jackie Bradley Jr. (2013)...Is the only Red Sox pitcher in the expansion era (since 1961) to strike out each of his first 3 3 batters faced in the majors (source: Elias)...Those three batters had combined to earn 20 All-Star Game selections: Ian Kinsler (4), Miguel Cabrera (11), and Victor Martinez (5)...Made his Major League debut on 4/7 @DET...Entered 2017 ranked by Baseball America as the Red Sox' No. 21 prospect...Recorded the first save of his MLB career on 5/17 at St. Louis...Optioned to Pawtucket postgame on 5/26...Placed on Pawtucket's DL with right elbow inflammation on 5/28 (activated on 6/24)...Recalled by Boston on 7/19...Placed on the DL with a left intercostal strain on 7/23)...Designated for assignment on 2/18 (Eduardo Núñez signed) prior to being claimed by Cleveland.

2016

Averaged 11.2 SO/9.0 IP (98 SO) and posted a 2.96 ERA (26 ER/79.0 IP) with 8 saves in 36 appearances (3 starts) between High-A Salem and Double-A Portland. Issued only 22 BB with a 1.08 WHIP and a .217 opponent AVG. Began the season in Salem's starting rotation before switching to the bullpen after 3 outings...In 12 relief appearances, went 3-for-4 in save opportunities and posted a 1.69 ERA (6 ER/32.0 IP) with 44 SO, 7 BB, and a .162 opponent AVG (18-for-111)...Threw at least 2.0 innings in each of his outings. Named Red Sox Minor League Relief Pitcher of the Month for May, when he posted a 0.55 ERA (1 ER/16.1 IP) and went 3-for-3 in save opportunities with 23 SO and only 2 BB in 6 games. Recorded a career-high 10 SO and allowed only 2 hits over 4.0 scoreless innings of relief on 6/6 at Lynchburg. Transferred to Portland on 6/20 and spent the remainder of the season there...15 of his 21 outings with the Sea Dogs were scoreless. Allowed 6 runs in 1.0 IP on 8/12 at Akron, but posted a 1.91 ERA (7 ER/33.0 IP) in his other 20 Double-A games. Converted 5 consecutive save chances from 7/15-8/20. Surrendered only 1 run in his final 6 games of the season (8.1 IP).