I caught up with Lexington Catholic RHP and 2011 Kentucky baseball commit [URL=”http://www.wildcatrecruits.com/playerProfile.php?Contact_ID=644&Recruit=Taylor-Martin”]Taylor Martin[/URL] last night. Taylor was named 1st team All-State by KHSAA this year and ranked the #2 player in Kentucky by Maxpreps – #5 by iHigh. He finished his senior year pitching stats with 54 strikeouts and 15 walks in 51 innings, surrendering only 24 hits and 8 runs. Taylor was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the 41st round of this year’s MLB draft.
He had other schools involved in his recruitment, but Taylor said he only seriously considered UK and Western Kentucky, both of whom offered scholarships. When I asked why he chose UK, he said because he wanted to play against the best competition (the SEC), but being the hometown school was a plus as well. He said that coach Bohannon was primarily handling his recruitment, but he has spoken with most of the coaches and feels he has a good relationship with the staff.
I asked Taylor if he intended to sign with the Rockies or attend UK. He said he will have to wait and see what they offer, but he would ‘probably’ be attending UK this fall.
When asked what he did when not playing baseball, Taylor said he enjoyed playing basketball. I searched through my notes, remembering that Lexington Catholic had a basketball All-Star named Taylor Martin. I said “is there another Taylor Martin at Lexington Catholic or is that you?” He said it was him. Not only is he a baseball All-Star, but Taylor was a McDonalds All-American nominee and 3rd team All-State in basketball. He said he chose baseball over basketball because he didn’t think he could go pro in basketball. I asked if he had spoken with coach Calipari about walking on the basketball team and Taylor said no. He said several of his friends had urged him to try, but the baseball and basketball seasons overlap and it probably wouldn’t work out.
Best of luck to Taylor, whichever route he decides to take.
