Georgia’s Johnathan Taylor had a dream of playing professional baseball, and it didn’t seem too far-fetched in the spring.
But when Taylor and teammate Zach Cone collided in the outfield in an early March game in Athens, Taylor was left paralyzed, and the idea of a professional career took a backseat to his completion of basic, daily tasks.
“When we see these injuries, you think, ‘Wow, it’s so disappointing, they may never play baseball again,’” Arizona Diamondbacks scout T.R. Lewis said. “Baseball is a blessing, but it becomes minor compared to the other tasks these guys are going to have to overcome.”
Taylor’s sophomore season had the pro scouting community abuzz. He was anything but an easy out at the plate, batting .335 with 29 RBIs in 2010. Still, Taylor seemed to be only scratching the surface of his potential.
“JT is a leadoff-type guy, a fun player to watch and a sparkplug player,” Texas Rangers scout Ryan Coe said.
Even after the tragic injury, which came only 11 games into his junior season, the scouting community retained an interest in Taylor and the funds needed for his recovery.
While Taylor continues to rehab at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, he got a lift last week when the Rangers made a classy statement, selecting him in the 33rd round of the draft. The Rangers had drafted Cone, one of Taylor’s best friends, as the 37th overall selection, in the supplemental first round.
“He was really pumped,” Cone said. “We laughed about it because we said that we would always be teammates.”
Coe knew what it would mean to Taylor. “It gave him a little boost,” he said. “He works hard in his rehab every day, but after the selection he had a little extra energy.”
At Turner Field at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, the Rangers will honor Taylor, Cone and their other Georgia draft pick, left-handed pitcher Kevin Matthews of Richmond Hill High School. Cone and Matthews signed Friday with the Rangers, who are in town for a three-game series against the Braves.
The Rangers are not the only professional team to notice Taylor’s situation. In fact, much of the professional baseball community has shown support for Taylor in recent months.
“It hits you full force with what this type of injury does to his whole life — not just his baseball playing, but his whole life,” Lewis said.
On May 28, the second annual Southeast Senior All-Star Game in Peachtree City showcased not only top-notch talent from the area, but also the kindness of professional scouts and team executives in attendance. Admission was free to the game, but donations were requested to aid in Taylor’s recovery.
Before the game, the scouts came together, looking for the best way to generate a donation to Taylor. Lewis collected at the stadium gate. More than $1,500 was raised by scouts and team executives in attendance to watch some of the Southeast’s top high school draft prospects. Additionally, $150 was collected from donations made by the players’ families.
“When [Taylor’s injury] happened, it was something that hit close to home with all of us,” Lewis said. “We as a scouting community decided that we wanted to do something.”
Taylor’s injury was familiar for those scouts who follow the Georgia baseball program. In 2009, the Bulldogs’ Chance Veazey was left paralyzed from the waist down following a collision while on his scooter. Much of the scouts’ inspiration for helping Taylor came from their interactions with Veazey both before and after his accident.
“The baseball community is tight. At the end of the day, we consider ourselves part of a brotherhood,” Lewis said. “We get to know these guys as players and young men.”
Taylor’s medical costs will be covered by catastrophic-injury insurance provided by Georgia and the NCAA. However, there are recovery expenses that fall outside of the insurance.
In March, a fund was set up at First American Bank and Trust in Taylor’s name to aid in his medical-related expenses. To date, more than $60,000 has been raised.
“[This type of injury] can impact anyone as much as they want it to and allow it to,” Lewis said. “When you sit in February with JT for a preseason interview and then two months later you visit him in a hospital, it impacts you greatly.”
To make a donation to the Johnathan Taylor Fund, visit the UGA website, georgiadogs.com, or any First American Bank and Trust location.
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