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Jameson Taillon

Jameson Taillon

33-Year-Old PitcherSP
Chicago Cubs
15-Day IL
Injury Calf
Est. Return 8/19/2025
2025 Stats
W-L
7-6
ERA
4.44
WHIP
1.11
K
74
SV
0
Rest-of-Season Projections
W-L
ERA
WHIP
K
SV
Unlock Our Projections
2025 Fantasy Outlook
After a disappointing 2023 campaign in which he posted a career-worst 4.84 ERA, Taillon bounced back in his second season with the Cubs. The veteran righty lowered his ERA to 3.27 and also posted a 1.13 WHIP, down from 1.28 a year earlier. Taillon did this while losing a few ticks on his fastball, and he saw his K/9 drop to a career-worst 6.80 as well. It's an open question whether the 32-year-old will be able to sustain his strong results without missing more bats, and at this point in his career, it's unlikely that he dials his fastball up any more. Taillon missed a little time to begin the 2024 season with a back issue, though he was mostly healthy after he made his debut in mid-April. Heading into his age-33 season, Taillon carries some risk of showing increased wear and tear, and his diminished velocity is reason for a little concern as well. However, based on his 2024 output alone, Taillon carries fantasy appeal heading into this season despite no longer profiling as a staff ace at this point in his career. Read Past Outlooks
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RANKS
Rest of Season
From Preseason
#335
ADP
League Majors
Bats R
Throws R
40 Man Yes
Height 6'5"
Weight 230
DOB 11/18/1991
Born Winter Haven, FL
College None
Drafted 1st Rd 2010 PIT
Signed a four-year, $68 million contract with the Cubs in December of 2022.
Return bumped to Tuesday
PChicago Cubs
Calf
August 18, 2025
Taillon (calf) won't be activated from the 15-day injured list to start Game 2 of Monday's doubleheader against the Brewers after the game was postponed due to inclement weather, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.
Analysis
Taillon was on track to make his first start since June 29 after missing time with a right calf strain, but he'll need to wait one more day after Wrigley Field experienced heavy rain right before first pitch. The twin bill will now take place Tuesday, and Taillon is listed as the probable pitcher to toe the rubber for Game 2, per Jared Wyllys of AllCHGO.com.
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Pitching Stats
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2025 MLB Game Log
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2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
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Pitching Appearances Breakdown
Average Pitch Count
88
Last 10 Games
88
Last 5 Games
86
How many pitches does Jameson Taillon generally throw?
 
1-10
 
11-20
 
21-30
 
31-40
 
41-50
 
51-60
 
61-70
 
71-80
 
81-90
 
91-100
 
101-110
 
111-120
 
121+
 
1-10
 
11-20
 
21-30
 
31-40
 
41-50
 
51-60
 
61-70
 
71-80
 
81-90
 
91-100
 
101-110
 
111-120
 
121+
 
1-10
 
11-20
 
21-30
 
31-40
 
41-50
 
51-60
 
61-70
 
71-80
 
81-90
 
91-100
 
101-110
 
111-120
 
121+
What part of the game does Jameson Taillon generally pitch?
 
 
 
1st
 
 
 
2nd
 
 
 
3rd
 
 
 
4th
 
 
 
5th
 
 
 
6th
 
 
 
7th
 
 
 
8th
 
 
 
9th
 
Extra
 
 
 
1st
 
 
 
2nd
 
 
 
3rd
 
 
 
4th
 
 
 
5th
 
 
 
6th
 
 
 
7th
 
 
 
8th
 
 
 
9th
 
Extra
 
 
 
1st
 
 
 
2nd
 
 
 
3rd
 
 
 
4th
 
 
 
5th
 
 
 
6th
 
 
 
7th
 
 
 
8th
 
 
 
9th
 
Extra
% Games Reaching Innings Threshold
% Games By Number of Innings Pitched
Left/Right Pitching Splits
Since 2023
 
 
-2%
BAA vs LHP
2025
 
 
-29%
BAA vs LHP
2024
 
 
-9%
BAA vs RHP
2023
 
 
-5%
BAA vs RHP
BAA Batters K BB H 2B 3B HR
Since 2023vs Left .245 882 171 69 197 37 4 41
Since 2023vs Right .250 836 168 25 199 31 1 29
2025vs Left .197 204 45 14 37 5 2 10
2025vs Right .277 184 29 6 49 11 0 12
2024vs Left .254 352 63 23 83 16 1 13
2024vs Right .232 323 62 10 71 8 1 8
2023vs Left .266 326 63 32 77 16 1 18
2023vs Right .252 329 77 9 79 12 0 9
More Splits→ View More Split Stats
Home/Away Pitching Splits
Since 2023
 
 
-33%
ERA at Home
2025
 
 
-36%
ERA at Home
2024
 
 
-52%
ERA at Home
2023
 
 
-9%
ERA at Home
ERA WHIP IP W L SV K/9 BB/9 HR/9
Since 2023Home 3.34 1.16 215.2 15 12 0 7.9 1.9 1.3
Since 2023Away 4.97 1.20 199.1 12 12 1 6.8 2.2 1.8
2025Home 3.45 0.91 47.0 3 2 0 7.5 1.3 1.5
2025Away 5.40 1.30 48.1 4 4 0 6.5 2.4 2.6
2024Home 2.18 1.06 90.2 8 4 0 7.1 2.0 0.9
2024Away 4.58 1.22 74.2 4 4 0 6.4 1.6 1.4
2023Home 4.62 1.42 78.0 4 6 0 9.0 2.2 1.5
2023Away 5.07 1.13 76.1 4 4 1 7.3 2.6 1.7
More Splits→ View More Split Stats
Stat Review
How does Jameson Taillon compare to other starting pitchers?
This section compares his stats with all starting pitcher seasons from the previous three seasons (minimum 120 innings)*. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that stat and it would be considered average.

* Exit Velocity, Barrels/BBE %, Balls Hit 95+ MPH %, and Spin Rate are benchmarked against 2019 data (min 120 IP). See here for more exit velocity/barrels stats plus an explanation of current limitations with that data set.
  • K/BB
    Strikeout to walk ratio.
  • K/9
    Average strikeouts per nine innings.
  • BB/9
    Average walks per nine innings.
  • HR/9
    Average home runs allowed per nine innings.
  • Fastball
    Average fastball velocity.
  • ERA
    Earned run average. The average earned runs allowed per nine innings.
  • WHIP
    Walks plus hits per inning pitched.
  • BABIP
    Batting average on balls in play. Measures how many balls in play against a pitcher go for hits.
  • GB/FB
    Groundball to flyball ratio. The higher the number, the more likely a pitcher is to induce groundballs.
  • Left On Base
    The percentage of base runners that a pitcher strands on base over the course of a season.
  • Exit Velocity
    The speed of the baseball as it comes off the bat, immediately after a batter makes contact.
  • Barrels/BBE
    The percentage of batted ball events resulting in a Barrel. A Barrel is a batted ball with similar exit velocity and launch angle to past ones that led to a minimum .500 batting average and 1.500 slugging percentage.
  • Spin Rate
    Spin Rate is the rate of spin on a baseball after it is released. It is measured in revolutions per minute (rpm).
  • Balls Hit 95+ MPH
    The percentage of batted balls hit that met or exceeded the 95 MPH threshold.
  • Swinging Strike
    The percentage of pitches that result in a swing and a miss.
K/BB
3.70
 
K/9
7.0
 
BB/9
1.9
 
HR/9
2.1
 
Fastball
92.4 mph
 
ERA
4.44
 
WHIP
1.11
 
BABIP
.247
 
GB/FB
0.78
 
Left On Base
77.1%
 
Exit Velocity
81.9 mph
 
Barrels/BBE
6.9%
 
Spin Rate
2365 rpm
 
Balls Hit 95+ MPH
25.1%
 
Swinging Strike
9.6%
 
Advanced Pitching Stats
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Defensive Stats
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Stats Vs Today's Lineup
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Past Fantasy Outlooks
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
Fly ball pitchers can be successful provided they don't walk many hitters and punch them out at an above average clip. Taillon has never been dominant, but his low walk rate, and a low BABIP usually associated with a fly ball pitcher have helped him check in as a league average pitcher. Last season, things did not go as well as the Cubs hoped after they signed him to bolster their rotation. Taillon maintained a low walk rate, but his .292 BABIP was its highest since 2018. His 1.57 HR/9 was a new career worst. Granted his 4.84 ERA was about half a run higher than expected, but even so he was a disappointment. Taillon is embarking on the second season of a four-year, $68 million contract, so he'll be in the opening day rotation. Relying on a non-dominant fly ball pitcher is a slippery slope, which is why Taillon is best treated as a fantasy streaming option.
Taillon tied his career high with 32 starts while logging 177.1 innings, his second most ever. His strikeout rate dropped, but Taillon compensated with a 4.4% walk rate, its lowest since his rookie season. For the second straight year, a high number of flyballs led to an above average flyball rate, but the low walk rate along with the resultant low BABIP minimized damage. Taillon tweaks his pitch mix every year, reintroducing a cutter to increase his arsenal to six pitches. Taillon's two best offerings are a curve and slider, but he backed off usage of both, perhaps due to being a two-time Tommy John surgery recoveree. Unless Taillon is comfortable reworking his repertoire another year removed from going under the knife in 2019, home runs will remain an issue, although he gets a modest park upgrade after signing a four-year deal with the Cubs. His low strikeout rate is more akin to a fantasy streamer than staff anchor.
Taillon was a mystery heading into the season. He underwent Tommy John surgery in 2019 and opted out of the truncated campaign, but he was able to rehab at the Pirates alternate site. Pittsburgh dealt Taillon to the Yankees in the offseason, and he broke camp in the rotation. With only 37.1 innings on his ledger since 2019, Taillon compiled 144.1 frames, posting a career high 23.2% K%. Taillon's normal 50% groundball rate dropped to 33%, resulting in a career worst 1.50 HR/9. Even battling gopheritis, Taillon managed a 4.30 ERA, which was encouraging considering the long layoff and league change. Taillon was shelved for three weeks down the stretch with a right ankle tendon injury, requiring surgery after the season. He made a start early in spring training, and it appears he'll be ready by Opening Day. The injury and 2021's bloated ERA presents a buying opportunity as Taillon is likely to revert to his groundball ways, reducing homers.
Taillon's career should become a movie if he comes out on the other side of everything with a success story. In the past six years, he has gone through two Tommy John surgeries as well as a bout of testicular cancer. He has spent more time in rehab than on the pitching mound, and 2020 was no different. Taillon had his second TJS in mid-August of 2019, so pitching in 2020 was never really on the table for him anyhow. In between injuries, he has pitched well to the Pittsburgh pitching script and still gets his strikeouts while being stingy with walks. He added a new slider in 2018, and was throwing it as his primary pitch before is elbow gave out again in the summer of 2019. Most pitchers do not return to their previous form until two years post-surgery, so expect some bumps in the road with Taillon, especially early on. Look at Chris Bassitt in 2019 -- first half vs. second half -- if you want a roadmap.
If you are reading this for research in a redraft league, you may stop now. If you are in a keeper league or dynasty league, you may still want to move on. Taillon had his second Tommy John surgery on Aug. 14, 2019 and it has already been said that he will not pitch in 2020. The list of pitchers making successful comebacks to consistent productivity after two TJ surgeries is quite small. Nathan Eovaldi and Daniel Hudson are the two most recent examples, but even Eovaldi's success was one year before he fell back into the dumps last season. Taillon will return as a 29-year-old in 2021, and may see his future in the bullpen.
After he showed signs of a breakout in 2017, everything came together for Taillon in 2018. The only thing keeping him from the elite is a strikeout rate a little low for a fantasy ace. That said, last season his SwStr% improved to 10.7 after sitting at 8.2 the previous year. His K% rose only 1.5 points to 22.8, but if he maintains last year’s swinging-strike mark, his whiff total could increase a bit. Taillon cut his walk rate down to a stingy 5.9%. He added a slider to his arsenal, which was most effective as a swing-and-miss pitch versus righties. Honing sequencing could help sync up Taillon’s K% and SwStr%. He’s reducing his changeup usage, which is good as it's his worst pitch. It’s rare a pitcher possesses the combination of durability and a solid floor with the potential for another level. This could be your last chance to roster Taillon at a non-ace price.
After what Taillon went through last summer, it feels unfair to be critical of his season. Fortunately, despite an unsightly 4.44 ERA and 1.48 WHIP, there are lot of positives. On May 8, Taillon was sporting a 3.31 ERA and 1.33 WHIP when he was treated for testicular cancer. After returning on June 12, his ratios soared to 4.85 and 1.54 the rest of the way. A 3.48 xFIP and 3.89 FIP suggest Taillon incurred some bad luck on the field, not just off it. The culprit was a .352 BABIP, from a high line drive rate. His 21.3 percent strikeout rate was on par with his career mark, though a 7.8 percent walk rate was a little high. A 47.3 percent groundball rate helped him allow only 11 homers in 133.2 innings. Expecting a BABIP regression is reasonable, though it still should be a little high as a groundball pitcher. If the market penalizes him for last season, take advantage.
Taillon made an impressive major league debut for anyone in 2016, let alone a pitcher coming off Tommy John surgery. The 25-year-old right-hander hadn't pitched at any level since 2013 thanks to a plethora of injuries and ailments. He stayed healthy in 2016 and showed why Pittsburgh drafted him with the second pick in the 2010 draft, ahead of Manny Machado. Taillon began the campaign with Triple-A Indianapolis, crafting a 2.04 ERA and a stunning 61:6 K:BB in 61.2 innings covering 10 starts, and never looked back after debuting with the Pirates in early June. He perfected a two-seam fastball in spring training and used that 94.2 mph weapon 39.7 percent of the time - as it was particularly effective against left-handed batters. Perhaps most impressively, he posted a 85:17 K:BB as a rookie and registered a 3.38 ERA and 1.12 WHIP in 104 innings. Armed with a 12-to-6 curveball and pinpoint accuracy, Taillon just needs to stay healthy to stake his claim as Pittsburgh's ace in 2017.
Taillon will attempt to come back from the Tommy John surgery he underwent last April and hernia surgery last July. The right-hander completed fall instructs healthy and is expected to be ready for spring training. He’ll start 2016 pitching for Triple-A Indianapolis with a shot at a midseason promotion, but remember that Taillon has only tossed 384 innings since his 2010 draft date and has yet to dominate any level. Pittsburgh would gladly welcome Taillon — who has swing-and-miss stuff — as a fourth or fifth starter, but fantasy owners might want to temper expectations.
Taillon, the second overall pick in the 2010 first-year player draft, underwent Tommy John surgery in April of 2013. He was expected to serve as a midseason Super 2 callup in the order of Gerrit Cole but instead faced the long 12-to-18 month rehab process. Pittsburgh will take a conservative approach with its top pitching prospect in 2015. Taillon has thrown just 382 innings in parts of three minor league seasons, including only 37 at Triple-A. The righty has yet to dominate at any level for an extended period of time and the Pirates will almost certainly give him substantial Triple-A time before a possible big-league promotion. Taillon remains a prized keeper league property, one which fantasy owners need to keep a close eye on throughout his rehab process.
The second overall pick in the 2010 draft, Taillon gave a glimpse of his potential in the WBC, striking out David Wright and Ryan Braun in four innings of one-run ball for Team Canada. He spent most of 2013 with Double-A Altoona and posted an uninspiring 4-7 record with a 3.67 ERA and 1.34 WHIP, but a 106:36 K:BB ratio in 110.1 innings highlighted his elite prospect status. Pittsburgh then promoted the 22-year-old to Triple-A in August, where he registered a 3.89 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 37:16 K:BB ratio while limiting batters to a .218 batting average. Pirates GM Neal Huntington expects Taillon to open with Triple-A Indianapolis in 2014, but once the organization is satisfied that Taillon's changeup is as effective as his plus fastball and curve, he will make his major-league debut.
Taillon persevered through an up-and-down Low-A season in 2012 well enough to earn a late promotion to Double-A. The hard-throwing righty compiled a 3.82 ERA and 1.17 WHIP in 125 innings for Bradenton, including a 98:37 K:BB ratio. In three Altoona starts, Taillon limited opponents to three runs in 17 frames with 18 strikeouts and one walk. His potential is tremendous. It's easy to forget that Taillon went straight from high school to the minor leagues, but he's still learning on the fly. He's far from a finished product but has the stuff to be a staff ace. The 21-year-old will likely begin 2013 in Altoona. Pittsburgh remains conservative with its promotions, but it's possible Taillon could see his first major league action in September.
Taillon's numbers might not reflect his effectiveness because the organization instructed him to command his fastball at the risk of whiffing hitters with breaking balls. Once the Bucs are comfortable with his control, the kid gloves will come off and his repertoire will be in full effect. Taillon pitched well in his professional debut for Low-A West Virginia, compiling a 3.98 ERA and 1.215 WHIP in 92.2 innings. More impressively, he put up a 97:22 K:BB ratio. Taillon will test his stuff at High-A Bradenton with a possible promotion to Double-A Altoona by summer's end. He's a cerebral pitcher who might be overshadowed by 2011 No. 1 pick, Gerrit Cole, but his future appears extremely bright. He could be pushing for a spot in Pittsburgh's rotation by 2013.
It's not likely the No. 2 overall pick in the 2010 draft will be pitching in the big leagues for at least two or three years, but dynasty owners will want to consider adding him right away. Taillon comes out of high school with a fastball that sits around 94 mph and sometimes hits the high-90s. His ceiling is thought to be higher than any other hurler in last summer's draft, though time will tell. The Pirates are expected to start him out at Low-A West Virginia in 2011. Since he didn't sign until deadline day, the 6-foot-6 righty never pitched in the Bucs' organization, though he did take part in the Florida Instructional League. Taillon has drawn comparisons to Josh Beckett. Pittsburgh hasn't developed a front-line starter for many years but is hoping Taillon finally fits the bill.
More Fantasy News
Sharp in final rehab start
PChicago Cubs
Calf
August 13, 2025
Taillon (calf) tossed 5.1 scoreless innings in a rehab start for Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday, allowing two hits and two walks while striking out four.
Analysis
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Making final rehab start Wednesday
PChicago Cubs
Calf
August 12, 2025
Manager Craig Counsell said Taillon (calf) will make a third rehab start with Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday before returning from the 15-day injured list, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Analysis
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Builds up to 78 pitches in rehab
PChicago Cubs
Calf
August 10, 2025
Taillon (calf) struck out six and allowed one earned run on three hits and no walks over 4.2 innings in his second rehab start Friday for Triple-A Iowa.
Analysis
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Set for rehab start
PChicago Cubs
Calf
August 8, 2025
Taillon (calf) will make his scheduled rehab start with Triple-A Iowa on Friday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.
Analysis
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Struggles in rehab start
PChicago Cubs
Calf
August 4, 2025
Taillon (calf) struck out one batter and allowed seven earned runs on seven hits across three innings in a rehab start with Triple-A Iowa on Sunday. He also hit two batters.
Analysis
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Mets check in
PChicago Cubs
July 28, 2024
According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Mets have touched base with the Cubs regarding a potential trade for Taillon.
Analysis
Talks didn't appear to progress significantly, and there's no guarantee Taillon is moved since he's under contract for two more years after this season. However, the veteran right-hander is likely Chicago's most valuable trade chip in a sellers' market, so the club could end up getting an offer too good to turn down.
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