Former Yankees Prospect Taylor Facing 40 Years In Jail
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - Brien Taylor had all of the baseball world buzzing in 1991. The New York Yankees thought they had a superstar in the making when they selected Taylor No. 1 overall in the 1991 MLB Draft.
He was compared to Dwight Gooden and appeared to be on the track to greatness after signing a then-record $1.55 million dollar signing bonus. Taylor impressed in Double-A, but injuries sustained from a bar fight derailed the left-hander's pitching career.
The fight left Taylor with a torn labrum and a dislocated shoulder. Taylor lost 8 miles per hour off his fastball and his control. He never made the majors. By the age of 28, Taylor was out of baseball after being released by the Cleveland Indians.
A once-promising career was over by 28 and Taylor's life continued to spiral.
In March 2012, a 40-year-old Taylor was charged with cocaine trafficking after undercover narcotics agents said they purchased a large quantity of cocaine and crack cocaine from him over a span of several months.
Taylor was federally indicted on trafficking charges in June and faces 5-to-40 years in prison after pleading guilty to cocaine distribution, according to ESPN.
Was Taylor the most disappointing prospect in Yankees' history? Let us know...
