MAKE GLOVE NOT W.A.R. — Michael A. Taylor has been A-mazing in CF for Twins.

Apr 25

What’s in a name? More parents should take an interest in what that name means for a son or daughter. My own daughter has a popular girl’s name that starts with an E instead of an A so her initials wouldn’t be A.S.S.

Similarly, Michael A Taylor’s parents took great care. The A stands for Anthony - his father’s name - as the family didn’t want him to be a “Junior.”

"It's a tribute to my dad," Taylor told reporters during spring training. "He didn't want to name me 'Junior,' because he didn't like his middle name. So he just gave me his name."

Almost a month into the Twins’ season, Taylor has given the team plenty. In one month, one could argue he has as many “signature” moments in a Twins’ uniform as Carlos Correa has in one year and one month.

Keeping with the “A” theme, here are four words to describe your newest outfielder, Twins fans.

Adaptable

Originally acquired to back up Byron Buxton in center and play the corner outfield spots too, Taylor has missed just one game while playing centerfield and allowing Buxton to DH.

While Taylor bats ninth - hitting four homers to place second on the team - he’s a guy who wouldn’t seem out of place anywhere in the batting order. He’s perfect in ninth with the way this team is set up, setting the table for Buxton and Correa. And Twins fans appreciate that he’s a free swinger - he swings at more than 50 percent of the pitches thrown to him.

Athlete

If you didn’t know better, you’d think it was Buxton in center. Taylor can go get the ball as well as anyone in the game, and he’s got a rocket of an arm too. Don’t forget he won the Gold Glove with Kansas City in 2021.

He’s the leader in runs saved by a centerfielder since the beginning of the 2022 season. The Twins are the best team in MLB at turning fly balls and line drives into outs, thanks to Taylor’s catches like this in Yankee Stadium.

While he didn’t throw anyone out on this flyout at Fenway Park, it’s clear by seeing his howitzer that opposing teams are very leery to test his arm. He led the AL with 11 outfield assists in 2021.

All-Purpose

Known largely for his defensive play, Taylor has been integral to the Twins’ offense too. How many MLB players could hit a home run in a game, and later walk it off with a bunt?

The 6-foot-4, 215-pounder also rocked a 444-foot home run over the weekend.

In addition, Taylor has the Twins’ ONLY two stolen bases of the season. It seems like stolen bases are up everywhere with the new rules, but not in Minnesota.

Affordable

Taylor is in the final year of a two-year contract that pays him $4.5 million per year. He’s 32 years old, so even with a good year, the Twins could - and should - be able to keep him in the fold at a reasonable price. Now, if Buxton suddenly becomes available to play in the outfield regularly? It’s not like Trevor Larnach, Max Kepler or Alex Kirilloff have proved themselves to be durable.