2011 MLB Draft Results: Texas Rangers Show Class in Drafting Jonathan Taylor

Dreams.

Everyone has them, but not many people actually get to achieve them. Imagine being so close to a dream that you have had since you were a little kid—that you worked your rear end off for—and then having it being taken away in an instant.

Unfortunately, that is exactly what happened to University of Georgia outfielder Jonathan Taylor. He was putting together a solid college career and it appeared that he would be drafted.

Then, tragedy struck. 

During Georgia’s game on March 6 against Florida State, Taylor collided with fellow Georgia outfielder Zach Cone. As a result of the collision, Taylor broke his neck and was left partially paralyzed.

His dream of being drafted by a major league team was finished. Had he not been injured, Taylor, a career .312 hitter, certainly would have been drafted.

Taylor didn’t expect any calls during the draft. Day 1 went by and the phone didn’t ring. So did Day 2. Then on Day 3, there was a call for Taylor.  

The Texas Rangers had selected Taylor in the 33^rd round.

The Rangers had been scouting Taylor since he was in high school. Rangers Director of Amateur Scouting, Kip Fagg, said that the team had planned on drafting him before the injury.

The Rangers also drafted Zach Cone, the player who collided with Taylor. They chose him with the 37^th overall pick. He is also one of Taylor’s best friends. Cone noted how happy he was that he and Taylor would get to be a part of the same organization.

This was an incredibly classy move by the Texas Rangers organization. They had no obligation to do this. After all, baseball is a business and the draft is how teams build up their farm system.

The Rangers’ decision to select Taylor speaks volumes about their organization.

For one day, even as he was recovering from neck surgery, Jonathan Taylor’s dream came true.

Photo Credit: Fox News