North Carolina State University Athletics
CARR: Camp,Taylor Heading to Big League Camp
2/13/2010 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
RALEIGH, N.C. – Andrew Taylor and Matt Camp have different styles and different skills, but possess the same burning baseball ambition.
They want to to earn a spot on a major league roster. And now there’s a chance for these former NC State stars to show they belong in The Show.
Taylor, a lefthanded relief pitcher, has been invited to the Los Angles Angels’ major league training camp in Tempe, Ariz., which opens Feb. 18. Camp, a utility man who succeeded in Class AAA last season, will report to the Chicago Cubs big league site in Mesa, Ariz.
“It’s a huge opportunity for all minor leaguers — going to a big league camp,” said Taylor, a former Wake Forest-Rolesville High School star who was drafted in 2008, following his junior season at State.
A stellar performance in Class-A ball at Cedar Rapids, Iowa, last year made the Angels more aware of his potential, made them want to take a closer look.
Toiling in relief, Taylor posted a 3-0 record, a 1.23 earned-run average, collected eight saves and struck out 83 batters in 61 innings. He did it while drawing from a repertoire that included a new-grip slider and a four-seam fastball that hums in the 91-94 mph range.
“I used the fastball a lot more and [the slider] gave me an out pitch,” explained Taylor, a 6-2, 200-pounder who grew up studying former Atlanta Braves hurlers Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine. “At State I didn’t have an out pitch. I didn’t have control of my fastball.
“I didn’t have the success I wanted at State (3-3 record, 4.79 ERA his junior year). But I learned a lot. All the coaches were very good and they recruited good guys.”
Taylor, who had hoped to pitch an inning in Saturday’s scheduled alumni game at Doak Field at Dail Park, recently found out he would be going to the big League camp. When he got the call from Abe Flores, the Angels’ director of player development, it left him “surprised” and “speechless.”
“He said: ‘Congratulations on being invited to the big league camp. Prove you belong there,’ “ recalled Taylor, who was watching his brother, Cameron, play in a basketball league game when the phone rang.
Los Angeles, which won the American League West last season, is stocked with strong righthanded relievers, but has just one lefty in the bullpen. Perhaps the Angels could use another southpaw with a bedeviling slider.
Taylor would like to become that southpaw.
ONE MORE STEP
In 2007, his first complete season in the Cubs organization, Camp was about ready to hibernate.
At one point he was batting .185, a shock for a career .331 hitter at NC State. He was frustrated, discouraged and “wanted to hang it up.” But after positive talks with his father, Barry, and Wolfpack coach Elliott Avent, he decided instead to to hang in there.
“I kept my head up and was able to get through it,” he said.
Now Camp, in Raleigh Saturday to see Steve Martin, Dan Plesac and Doug Strange inducted into the N.C. State Baseball Hall of Fame, is just a phone call away from Chicago’s Wrigley Field.
At Class AAA Des Moines, Iowa, last season the versatile Camp batted .282. After that he matriculated to Mexico and hit .330 in a winter league.
“That was a great experience,” he said of his stint in Mexico. “I got a chance to travel and play with Mexican players. I think that’s what got me the chance to get in [big league camp].”
Drafted in the 13th round by the Cubs in 2006, Camp — from Gastonia — has played every position except first base, pitcher and catcher. That versatility could be his ticket to the majors.
“They want to find another utility guy, a younger guy who can step in,” Camp said. “Hopefully, I can be that guy.”
Before going pro, Camp put his signature on State’s program. He batted .333 as a freshman, .332 as a sophomore, dipped to .267 as a junior, and then finished in a flurry, hitting .387 with 46 RBIs and earning third-team All-America honors his senior season.
Since then there have been a lot of long bus rides, fast-food meals, slumps and streaks on the minor league circuit. But for Camp — and Taylor — their big league dream is still alive.
