TCU’s Brayden Taylor selected 19th in 2023 MLB Draft
TCU’s third baseman Brayden Taylor was selected 19th overall by the Tampa Bay Rays during Sunday’s MLB draft.
“This is such a surreal feeling,” said Taylor on the ESPN broadcast of the draft.
The 21-year-old infielder will go to a promising big league organization who is leading the American League East division and has the second-best record in the Major Leagues as of the All-Star break.
“I’m very grateful to the Tampa Bay Rays for selecting me,” said Taylor. “I’m ready to get to work.”
According to MLB.com, Taylor flew under the radar through high school in Utah and while in college. However, he has developed during his time as a Horned Frog.
The analysis said he has a sweet left-handed swing that exhibits good bat-to-ball skills. He is comfortable getting deep into counts and control the strike zone. Taylor matched the program record for single-season home runs with 23, but couldn’t set it after failing to record one in his last seven games.
Despite the drought at the end of his college career, he did set the TCU career-home run record after hitting his 48th in a postseason game against Arkansas.
The third baseman was commended for his arm strength and solid defense at the hot corner. He has been critiqued for his defensive quickness, which could prevent him from being impressive at second base or shortstop. However, he is still expected to be able to grow and develop in the coming years.
Taylor became the 169th Horned Frog to be selected in the MLB Draft. He is the 57th player from TCU to be picked in the top 10 rounds. He is the fifth to be drafted in the first round.
The last first-round pick TCU produced was pitcher Nick Lodolo, who was drafted seventh overall by the Cincinnati Reds in 2019.
Lodolo currently plays with the Reds’ big league club. He joined a group of Frogs that have made their Major League debut. Another prospect produced by TCU was Luken Baker, who made his debut for the St. Louis Cardinals this year.
Taylor is the first position player Horned Frog that heard his name called in the first round of the draft. All four others were pitchers.
Following Taylor, six other Horned Frogs were drafted this year. The seven draft picks that TCU produced is the highest since 2019, when the Frogs had a program-record nine players selected in the draft.
Before that, 2015 saw eight Frogs get their name called in the draft.
However, in 2015 it took 28 rounds to hear the last Horned Frog called and in 2019 it took 38 rounds. This year, there were only 20 rounds.
Cole Fontenelle drafted in 7th round
TCU’s first baseman Cole Fontenelle was selected 204th overall by the Los Angeles Angels.
Fontenelle was named to the 2023 NCAA Fayetteville All-Regional Team and the 2023 second-team All-Big 12.
Last year, he had 14 home runs and 58 RBI. He also started in 63 of the 65 games the Frogs played.
He made 48 starts at first base, but also had eight starts at third base, four in left field and three as a designated hitter. The MLB stream of the draft suggested he may land as a corner outfielder when he moves through the Angels organization. The team labeled him as a third baseman.
Fontenelle will join fellow former-Frog Zach Humphreys, who has maintained a .247 batting average with two home runs and 17 RBI in 85 at-bats with the Angels’ triple-A affiliate Salt Lake Bees.
Humphreys was drafted in 2019 by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 26th round, pick 793 overall. He signed as a free agent with the Angels on July 13, 2021.
Ryan Vanderhei drafted in 10th round
TCU’s starting pitcher Ryan Vanderhei was selected by the San Francisco Giants 300th overall.
The commentators from the MLB draft said Vanderhei could be a long-shot, but he will most likely work out as a reliever in the long run. One of the concerns with Vanderhei are his mechanics. The 6-foot-6 righty opens himself up to the batter, giving away his pitches and giving the batter an upper hand.
Vanderhei missed the end of 2023 due to an injury, but still recorded 43 strikeouts in 42.2 innings of work. He made eight starts in his 13 appearances. He ended his season with a 6.75 earned run average.
He will join a program in the Giants that regularly compete in a tough division along with the Dodgers, the Padres and the Diamondbacks.
Cam Brown drafted in 10th round
Another TCU pitcher was selected in the last round of day two as right-handed pitcher Cam Brown was called 313th overall by the Philadelphia Phillies.
The draft commentators from MLB.com said he has a strong potential to succeed in the big leagues if he can take control of his fastball and slider. He had a 5.50 earned run average as he can get hit when his fastball gets down in the zone. He also struggled with walks and command with his slider, which gives him the makings of a solid reliever for a big league club.
Brown was considered the 191st best prospect in this years draft by MLB.com, which doubled down on the critique that Brown can be inconsistent and struggle with command. He also has a changeup that can reach the upper-80s on the radar, but he uses it rarely.
The analysis by MLB.com said he can grow his potential if he can consistently replicate his mechanics and arm slot.
Brown graduated from Flower Mound High School in North Texas, where his younger brother plays, as well. At one point, his parents had to choose whether they watch Cam Brown in the NCAA Super Regional round against Indiana State or if they watched the younger Brown play for the Flower Mound Jaguars in the Texas State Baseball Championship.
Brown becomes the fourth TCU player drafted this year. Last year, the Frogs had five players drafted.
Elijah Nuñez taken in Round 14
TCU’s center fielder heard his name called as the 405th overall pick by the Washington Nationals.
Nuñez goes to a struggling Nationals organization, which is fifth in their division and have the second worst record in the National League. However, they’ve been able to produce fielding talent such as Bryce Harper, Juan Soto and current-Nats shortstop C.J. Abrams.
They’re in the middle of a rebuild, but Nuñez’s speed out of the batter’s box and on the base paths and outfield range could help in their long-term plans.
Last year, Nuñez helped the Frogs reach the semifinals of the College World Series. He earned 2023 NCAA Fayetteville All-Regional team and 2023 Big 12 All-Tournament team honors. He walked 33 times and stole 20 bases in 22 attempts throughout the season. His batting average ended at .289.
Tre Richardson selected in the 15th round
With the 455th overall pick, the St. Louis Cardinals drafted TCU infielder Tre Richardson.
After transferring from TCU’s Big 12 opponent Baylor University, Richardson took over as the starting second baseman for the Horned Frogs.
In 2023, he started all 68 games the Frogs played in, holding a .311 batting average and leading the team in hits with 84.
He earned 2023 NCAA Fayetteville Regional MVP after hitting three home runs in a game against No. 3 Arkansas. The first two were grand slams in the first two innings. Richardson collected 11 RBI in that game, setting the program record and tying the NCAA postseason record.
Richardson and the other Horned Frog baseball players became well-known as the team that eats IHOP for breakfast before every game. Richardson owed his performance to the breakfast chain that day.
Well, IHOP heard the noise and set him up with his own limited-time order in Fort Worth.
Richardson also drew 28 walks and stole 25 bases in 29 attempts.
Richardson will join TCU legend Luken Baker in the Cardinals’ farm system.
Garrett Wright; last but not least
It took 20 rounds and 599 picks, but TCU right-handed pitcher Garrett Wright got his call. In the last round of the 2023 draft, the Chicago White Sox selected him.
Over his three-year career, Wright maintained a 3.34 earned run average through 60 appearances that totaled 70 innings pitched. He recorded 11 saves and tallied 98 strikeouts. Opposing batters had a batting average of .193 when facing Wright.
The 6-foot-2 righty joins a White Sox organization that is less than impressive. The team is fourth in the American League Central division and 16 games under .500.
However, they have grown pitching talent such as Chris Sale, Michael Kopech and Garret Crochet.
More draft buzz around TCU
While not currently attending TCU, two-way player Kyle Carr is committed to the Horned Frog baseball program. However, he mah not make the transfer from Palomar Junior College as he heard his name called by the New York Yankees.
Carr was selected in the third round, 97th overall. MLB.com considers him to be a more valuable pitcher than hitter, despite being labelled as a two-way player.
His fastball can reach 97 mph, but it usually sits around 90-94 range. He has a strong breaking ball and a changeup that he can use every once in a while.
He has been commended for throwing strikes and being, overall, athletic. However, he underwent Tommy John surgery, which can be a concern for welcoming more injuries in the future.
This story was originally published July 9, 2023 at 8:27 PM.
