Grant Taylor

Active

Chicago White Sox · Pitcher

Age 246' 3" · 230 lbsThrows Right

FBaseball Overview

This 24-year-old right-hander enters 2026 on the heels of a breakout early-season stretch that showcases significant upside for fantasy managers seeking late-round pitcher depth. Taylor's 2026 numbers—a 2.70 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, and 62 strikeouts over 43.1 innings—demonstrate marked improvement in command and efficiency compared to his inconsistent 2025 debut (4.91 ERA, 1.42 WHIP). His versatility between starting and relief roles, evidenced by his 2-1 record and 2 saves, offers flexibility in deeper leagues, though clarification on his primary assignment remains crucial for draft positioning. The key risk lies in sustaining this performance level given his small sample size, but the velocity, strikeout rate, and ERA improvement suggest a legitimate second-half emergence that could reward patient fantasy investors.

News Updates

Grant Taylor secures save opportunity with White Sox
Chicago White Sox closer Grant Taylor earned his save in Saturday's 3-1 win over Cleveland, pitching a perfect ninth inning with one walk and one strikeout. Taylor continues to hold down the closing duties for the White Sox.
Jul 5, 2026

MLB Pitching

Year	Team	G	GS	W	L	SV	ERA	WHIP	K	IP	BB
2025	Chicago White Sox	36	2	2	4	6	4.91	1.42	54	36.2	15
2026	Chicago White Sox	34	4	4	2	3	2.96	1.12	65	45.2	15
Career	Totals	70	6	6	6	9	3.83	1.25	119	82.1	30

Source: MLB Stats API · Multi-team seasons show combined totals — click to expand

Minor League Pitching

Year	Team	G	GS	L	ERA	WHIP	K	IP	BB
2024	2 teams▼	5	5	0	2.33	0.72	32	19.1	2
2025	Birmingham Barons	15	6	1	1.01	0.86	37	26.2	11
Career	Totals	20	11	1	1.57	0.80	69	46	13

Source: MLB Stats API · Multi-team seasons show combined totals — click to expand

Game Log2026 season

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Analytics2026 season · via Baseball Savant

Click for year to year changes

FB Velo98.4 mph

Avg Spin2441 rpm

Whiff %30.7%

K %34.6%

BB %8.0%

Hard Hit %42.1%

Barrel %6.5%

xERA2.30

xBA Against0.18

xSLG Against0.273

BA Against0.211

SLG Against0.327

GB%41.7%

FB%30.6%

What These Stats Mean

FB Velo — Average fastball velocity. Harder throwers generate more swings and misses, setting up every other pitch in their arsenal. Velocity is the foundation of strikeout upside.

Avg Spin — Average spin rate across all pitches. Higher spin creates more movement and makes pitches harder to square up — elite spinners run better strikeout and batting average against numbers.

Whiff % — Swings-and-misses per swing. The most direct measure of a pitcher's ability to miss bats and the best leading indicator of strikeout rate.

K % — Strikeout rate per batter faced. The core fantasy pitching stat — high K% means reliable strikeout totals that hold up even in shorter starts.

BB % — Walk rate per batter faced. The primary control metric. High BB% tanks ERA and WHIP and keeps baserunners on constantly. Elite starters typically run below 7%.

Hard Hit % — Percentage of batted balls hit 95 mph or harder against. Low hard-hit% means weak contact, protecting both ERA and the defense behind the pitcher.

Barrel % — Percentage of batted balls barreled against. The most direct home run predictor — low barrel% pitchers rarely give up long balls.

xERA — Expected ERA based on contact quality allowed, removing the effect of sequencing, luck, and defense. Better predictor of future ERA than ERA itself.

xBA Against — Expected batting average opponents should hit based on contact quality. A gap between xBA and actual BA indicates unsustainable luck in either direction.

xSLG Against — Expected slugging allowed based on contact quality. High xSLG against predicts future extra-base damage; low xSLG means the pitcher is genuinely suppressing power.

BA Against — Actual batting average opponents are hitting — a key WHIP component. Check xBA to see if the number is sustainable.

SLG Against — Actual slugging allowed. Captures hits, doubles, triples, and home runs — lower means the pitcher is limiting the power damage he gives up.

GB% — Ground ball rate. High GB% pitchers generate double plays, limit home runs, and keep the ball in the park — great for protecting ERA and WHIP ratios.

FB% — Fly ball rate. High FB% pitchers give up more air contact — dangerous when combined with high exit velocity, less so when contact is soft.

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Year

Team

ERA

WHIP

2025

Chicago White Sox

4.91

1.42

36.2

2026

Chicago White Sox

2.96

1.12

45.2

Career

Totals

3.83

1.25

119

82.1

Year

Team

ERA

WHIP

2024

2 teams▼

2.33

0.72

19.1

2025

Birmingham Barons

1.01

0.86

26.2

Career

Totals

1.57

0.80