Taylor Rogers
Taylor Allen Rogers is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Minnesota Twins of Major League Baseball. He has also played in MLB for the San Diego Padres, Milwaukee Brewers, San Francisco Giants, Cincinnati Reds, and Chicago Cubs. Rogers played college baseball for the Kentucky Wildcats and was selected by the Twins in the 11th round of the 2012 MLB draft. He was an MLB All-Star in 2021.
Early life and high school career
Rogers was born on December 17, 1990, in Denver, Colorado. Raised in Littleton, he attended Chatfield Senior High School, graduating in 2009. Rogers played on both the school's baseball and basketball teams. In 2008, he posted a 5–2 win–loss record, a 1.98 earned run average, and 82 strikeouts in 53 innings pitched. That year, Rogers was named first-team All-State and first-team All-Colorado. In 2009, he was named All-Region.College career
The Baltimore Orioles selected Rogers in the 37th round, with the 1,106th overall selection, of the 2009 MLB draft. He did not sign with the Orioles, and instead attended the University of Kentucky to play college baseball for the Kentucky Wildcats. In 2010, Rogers posted a 4–7 record and a 6.40 ERA. He tied for the Southeastern Conference lead in losses and runs allowed. In 2011, Rogers tied for second in the SEC in losses, and was third-highest in runs allowed. After the 2011 season, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Harwich Mariners of the Cape Cod Baseball League. He posted a 2–3 record with a 1.76 ERA and a 0.95 WHIP in six starts, and was named a league all-star. In 2012, Rogers posted a 6–4 record and was fourth in the SEC in runs allowed and 11th in strikeouts. Pitching in college from 2010 to 2012, he was 13–18 with a 5.35 ERA.Professional career
Draft and minor leagues
After his junior season at Kentucky, Rogers was selected 340th overall by the Minnesota Twins in the 11th round of the 2012 MLB draft. Rogers signed with the Twins for a signing bonus of $100,000, and made his professional debut that season with the Elizabethton Twins, and also played for the Beloit Snappers. In 15 games between both teams, he posted a 4–3 record with a 2.27 ERA.Rogers started the 2013 season with the Cedar Rapids Kernels, and was later promoted to the Fort Myers Miracle during the season, with whom his 11 wins were third in the Florida State League and his three complete games and two shutouts led the league. In 25 games between the two clubs, 24 of which were starts, Rogers posted an 11–7 record with a 2.88 ERA. He was named a Florida State League post-season All Star.
In 2014, Rogers pitched for the New Britain Rock Cats, with whom he compiled an 11–6 record with a 3.29 ERA in 24 games started in which he pitched 145.0 innings and had 113 strikeouts, with his 11 wins tied for third in the league. He was named an Eastern League mid-season All Star.
In 2015, Rogers played for the Rochester Red Wings. He finished the season with an 11–12 record, a 3.98 ERA in 28 games across 174.0 innings pitched with 126 strikeouts ; his 11 wins tied for third in the league. He was named an International League mid-season All Star. The Twins added Rogers to their 40-man roster after the 2015 season.
Rogers began the 2016 season with the Red Wings before being called up to Major League Baseball shortly after the start of the season on April 13. He finished the 2016 season with a 0–1 win–loss record, a 4.50 earned run average, and 15 strikeouts in 18.0 innings pitched across seven games.
Minnesota Twins (2016–2021)
Rogers made his Major League Baseball debut on April 14, 2016. Five days later, he was optioned to the Rochester Red Wings on April 19. Rogers was recalled to the Twins on May 17, where he remained for the rest of the season. He finished the 2016 season with a 3–1 record, a 3.96 ERA, and 64 strikeouts across innings pitched in 57 relief appearances.Rogers finished the 2017 season with a 7–3 record, a 3.07 ERA, and 49 strikeouts across innings pitched in 69 relief appearances. He led MLB with 30 holds.
Rogers finished the 2018 season with a 1–2 record, a 2.63 ERA, and 75 strikeouts across innings pitched in 72 relief appearances.
In 2019, Rogers began as a setup man before being installed as the closer. He was 2–4 and recorded 30 saves in 36 opportunities with an ERA of 2.61, striking out 90 batters in 69.0 innings, allowed 1.4 walks per nine innings , and had a WHIP of 1.00. He received the Twins Joseph W. Haynes Pitcher of the Year Award.
In 2020, Rogers was 2–4 with nine saves and a 4.05 ERA in 21 games, in 20 innings in which he struck out 24 batters while walking four batters.
On July 12, 2021, Rogers was named to the 2021 All-Star Game. He finished the 2021 season with a 2–4 record, 9 saves, and a 3.35 ERA. In innings pitched, he struck out 59 batters with a 1.8 BB/9.
San Diego Padres (2022)
On April 7, 2022, the Twins traded Rogers with Brent Rooker and cash considerations to the San Diego Padres for Chris Paddack, Emilio Pagán, and a player to be named later. Minor leaguer Brayan Medina was sent to the Twins as the player to be named later on April 21.Rogers became the Padres' closer, but was removed from the role in late July after two consecutive blown saves. Rogers made 42 relief appearances for the Padres during the 2022 season, accumulating a 1–5 record and a 4.35 ERA with 48 strikeouts across innings pitched.
Milwaukee Brewers (2022)
On August 1, 2022, the Padres traded Rogers with Dinelson Lamet, Esteury Ruiz, and Robert Gasser to the Milwaukee Brewers for Josh Hader. Rogers made 24 relief appearances for the Brewers during the 2022 season, accumulating a 3–3 record and a 5.48 ERA with 36 strikeouts across 23.0 innings pitched.Rogers finished the 2022 season with a combined 4–8 record with 31 saves, a 4.76 ERA, and 84 strikeouts in innings pitched in 66 games. He threw an 81 mph slider 63% of the time, and a 94 mph sinker 36% of the time.
San Francisco Giants (2023–2024)
On December 28, 2022, Rogers signed a three-year, $33 million contract with the San Francisco Giants, before his younger brother, Tyler, re-signed with the team. He made 60 appearances out of the bullpen in 2023, compiling a 6–4 record and a 3.83 ERA with 64 strikeouts across innings pitched.Rogers made 64 relief appearances for the Giants during the 2024 season, accumulating a 1–4 record and a 2.40 ERA with 64 strikeouts across 60.0 innings pitched.