re: Grant Taylor question

Losing Taylor was such a huge blow. Dude was by far our best arm not named Skenes.

NIL makes it difficult to tell what kids are going to do. Kids can make good money and have more fun in college. Paul Skenes made a ton of money for himself this year by increasing his draft stock. Is Grant Taylor going to make more money by taking NIL money and bank on raising his draft stock next year? Who knows?

But with NIL, the decision is much more difficult

I got TJ surgery. There is no “new procedure” that allows guys to come back faster. Even back when I did it, it just depends on the player, any setbacks, reliever vs starter, etc. Determann was back in 10 months. Remember him? Some guys take as long as 15.

The ligament is replaced during TJ surgery. A tendon is used either from the forearm or the knee. You’re immobilized for a week and then you’re out of your soft cast and into a brace and start the mobility process. There’s no way to do it faster than what the elbow allows. It’s the most painful process because it hurts like hell trying to force it to straighten or bend. Only once the mobility gets better and the wound heals can you start even doing basic forearm exercises. It can take up to 3 months to get full extension back. Again, there’s no speeding this up. You’re rebuilding shoulder strength that last 6-9 months. The elbow is healed and isn’t “rehabbed” itself. The last half of rehab is all about the rebuild. This is actually what helps players throw harder. It’s a chance to completely reset your shoulder and mechanics. The elbow is no different and plays no part. The tendon becomes a ligament is all.

ETA: There is a procedure for partial tears or detachments that braces it while it heals on it’s own and that is a 6-month rehab because you “might” be able to start throwing again in 10 weeks so the rebuild isn’t as extensive but it’s not a true TJ surgery.

100% this. Hurd will be very good next year and Jay will continue to win in the portal.

I think the HS kid from IMG was hitting upper 90s. Let's hope he makes it to campus. Realistically, he is unlikely to be a Friday night guy next year, though.

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After his injury, Taylor told Jay he intends to come back. He is draft eligible sophomore, so he won't lose his leverage. Of course, he has had plenty of time to change his mind. We will see.

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It makes sense to me for him to show the MLB next year that he has recovered and can pitch at a high level. He'll still have draft leverage as a junior too. But it's a tough call for a young man with a lot of money thrown at him.

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After his injury, Taylor told Jay he intends to come back

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any link to this? I dont think this is common knowledge nor have i seen it publicly spoken

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any link to this? I dont think this is common knowledge nor have i seen it publicly spoken

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I don't know about a link but I can say with 100% certainty Jay said Taylor intends to come back shortly after his TJ.

ETA - see article below.

Nola.com article from March 27

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Right-hander Grant Taylor also tore his ulnar collateral ligament this January, and has underwent surgery. Taylor is the No. 82 overall prospect on MLB Pipeline's Top 100 this year, but has decided to use a medical redshirt to return next year.

"He's an elite student," Johnson said. "He came in with all kinds of AP credits and is one of those guys that could graduate in three years' time. Obviously, saves the redshirt year for this year. He likes being here and, obviously, I want him here as long as he's willing to stay here. If we get a month and a half out of him in 2024 — that's good by me. He'll have his degree and have all the leverage in the world."

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Like others have said, this was months ago and the pre-draft process may have provided him with information that makes him rethink his decision, but in March, he was set to return in '24.

I mean it's Jay saying Taylor told him he's coming back.

Grant Taylor has given one interview ever while at LSU. This is the best source on the topic outside of Taylor himself.

The medical red shirt quote, given by Jay, tells me it was a real discussion and not blowing smoke. So at that time, Taylor was coming back. Nothing has really been said about it since then.

I tend to think he sees the pros in coming back and rehabbing at LSU, unless a team takes him in the top 3 rounds (obviously meaning they hit his number prior to selecting him), as (I believe) he would be leaving money on the table taking round 4+ slot value. Unless of course a team takes him later, goes overslot, and still hits his number

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Not trying to argue but that doesn’t say he intends to come back. If he says that hat at a coaches meeting, great. It hasn’t been publicized though.

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Jay specifically said he intends to return in '24. I don't know where that video is, but I heard Jay say it.

You're right though, it hasn't been publicized. That could be because no one has asked about it since March, or it could be because Taylor changed his mind. Either way, we'll find out in 3 weeks. At this point, I don't think it changes anything you do recruiting/portal wise this offseason, as Taylor won't be ready until March in the absolute best possible case scenario.