Taylor Tankersley
Encyclopedia
Taylor Mark Tankersley is an American professional baseball player. A left-handed
relief pitcher
, he is currently with the New York Mets
organization of Major League Baseball
.
After high school, Tankersley continued his baseball career at the University of Alabama
. He started and did relief work for the Crimson Tide
. After three years throwing for the Tide, Tankersley was a first rounder in the major league draft. The twenty-seventh pick overall, Taylor was the Marlins' first pick. He made his major league debut on June 3, , pitching a scoreless inning in relief.
In March 2009 Tankersley was demoted to the Marlin's Triple-A New Orleans Zephyrs
team due to an elbow injury, ultimately undergoing surgery to correct the recurring stress fracture. In May 2010, Tankersley was called up by the Marlins to work as a "Lefty specialist" out of the bullpen. 20 of the first 21 left handed hitters Tankersley faced were retired; he finished the season "shutting down" lefties, who batted .200 against him.
On October 13, 2010, Tankersley refused a minor league assignment and became a free agent.
On January 11, 2011, Tankersley reached a minor league deal with the New York Mets, which included an invite to spring training.
Left-handed
Left-handedness is the preference for the left hand over the right for everyday activities such as writing. In ancient times it was seen as a sign of the devil, and was abhorred in many cultures...
relief pitcher
Relief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
, he is currently with the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
organization of Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
.
Career
During his senior year at Warren Central High School in Vicksburg, Tankersley went 13-0. He also played first base whenever he was not pitching. Warren Central won the Mississippi 5A Baseball State Championship that year.After high school, Tankersley continued his baseball career at the University of Alabama
University of Alabama
The University of Alabama is a public coeducational university located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States....
. He started and did relief work for the Crimson Tide
Crimson Tide
Crimson Tide may refer to:* Crimson tide, a type of algae also known as Karenia brevis* Alabama Crimson Tide, the sports teams of the University of Alabama* Crimson Tide , a 1995 American thriller...
. After three years throwing for the Tide, Tankersley was a first rounder in the major league draft. The twenty-seventh pick overall, Taylor was the Marlins' first pick. He made his major league debut on June 3, , pitching a scoreless inning in relief.
In March 2009 Tankersley was demoted to the Marlin's Triple-A New Orleans Zephyrs
New Orleans Zephyrs
The New Orleans Zephyrs are a minor league baseball team based in Metairie, Louisiana, a suburb of New Orleans. The Zephyrs play in the Pacific Coast League and are the Triple-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins. The Zephyrs play their home games at Zephyr Field....
team due to an elbow injury, ultimately undergoing surgery to correct the recurring stress fracture. In May 2010, Tankersley was called up by the Marlins to work as a "Lefty specialist" out of the bullpen. 20 of the first 21 left handed hitters Tankersley faced were retired; he finished the season "shutting down" lefties, who batted .200 against him.
On October 13, 2010, Tankersley refused a minor league assignment and became a free agent.
On January 11, 2011, Tankersley reached a minor league deal with the New York Mets, which included an invite to spring training.