Matt Taylor Class: Freshman Hometown: Midland, Ga. High School: Columbus HS Height / Weight: 6-2 / 176 Position: LHP Experience: HS B/T: L-L

Matt Taylor is one of two standout left-handers from Columbus (Ga.) High School to ink with the Tide, joining fellow lefty Taylor Wolfe at the Capstone this season ... one of six freshman pitchers that is expected to make an immediate impact this season ... posted a 30-5 (.857) career record on the mound ... also a viable two-way player with speed and quickness in the outfield ... one of nine UA signees to be rated in the Top 500 by Perfect Game Crosschecker, which is the national rating system for prep all-stars ... played the past two summers for The Chain and was on the same team with fellow UA signees Tucker Hawley and Kevin Gifford .... Taylor also brings a ton of showcase experience to the Capstone having participated in the 2008 WWBA World Championship, the 2008 WWBA 17-and-under National Championship, the 2007 WWBA 16-and under National Championship, the 2007 BCS 16-and-under Finals, the 2006 Southside Atlanta State Showcase and the 2006 WWBA 15-and-under National Championship.

HIGH SCHOOL:
A 2009 graduate of Columbus High School in Columbus, Ga., where he was a three-year starter and four-year letterman on the diamond for Coach Bobby Howard ... Taylor was 30-5 (.857) on the mound during his prep career ... as a senior, he helped Columbus to a 33-4 overall record and second-place finish in the Georgia State Playoffs ... Columbus ended the season ranked 16th nationally by Perfect Game ... 2009 Louisville Slugger All-American ... rated as the 16th best prospect in the state of Georgia by Baseball America ... as a senior, Taylor posted an incredible 14-1 record on the mound with a sparkling 0.89 ERA ... he was a perfect 6-0 in the playoffs ....also hit .450 with eight home runs and 58 RBI as a viable two-way threat ... 2008-2009 Hughston Clinic/Columbus Ledger Enquirer All-Bi City Player of the Year...selected three consecutive years to the All-Bi City 1st team... was the Columbus High School 2009 Player of the Year... 2009 Most Valuable Pitcher ... 2009 Most Valuable Outfielder... selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 2009 First Year Player Draft...selected as a 2008- 2009 Wendy's Local High School Heisman Athlete...selected as a National Scholar Athlete ... he was drafted in the 50th round of the 2009 MLB Draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates.

PERSONAL:
Full name is Matthew Allen Taylor ... he is the son of Clint and Cathy Taylor ... had a twin brother and sister, Davis and Alexis ... his grandfather was an All-American Football player at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.