Blake Taylor Debuts in Houston Astros Opener

2017 pitcher becomes eighth former Firefly to appear in MLB game

By John Kocsis Jr.

July 25, 2020

Columbia, S.C. – Former Fireflies pitcher Blake Taylor made his Major League debut last night. The Houston Astro came on in relief in the eighth inning against the Mariners. The lefty retired the side in order, forcing a flyout and a pair of groundouts. He is the eighth former Fireflies

Columbia, S.C. – Former Fireflies pitcher Blake Taylor made his Major League debut last night. The Houston Astro came on in relief in the eighth inning against the Mariners. The lefty retired the side in order, forcing a flyout and a pair of groundouts. He is the eighth former Fireflies player to play in the big leagues.

The 2013 second round selection of the Pittsburgh Pirates spent the 2017 season in the Soda City, starting 17 of the 18 games he appeared in. Taylor fanned 72 batters in 85.2 innings of work while maintaining a 4.94 ERA.

The Mets acquired Taylor in 2014 in a trade that sent Ike Davis to Pittsburgh. In 2019, the Mets sent him to Houston with outfielder Kenedy Corona to bring center fielder *Jake Marisnick *to the Big Apple.

Taylor is the second former Firefly to debut in the majors this season, joining Andrés Giménez, who also got the call-up Friday.

For more information on former Fireflies, visit columbiafireflies.com.