[5]: 2  Taylor noted that he was hampered by a sore lower back during the 1987 season, and during that summer had issues with a torn muscle in his arm.

[7][8] Taylor was selected by the Boston Red Sox in the 28th round of the 1988 MLB draft;[9] he signed with the team the following week.

[10] Taylor made his professional debut in 1988 with the Elmira Pioneers, a Class A Short Season affiliate of the Red Sox.

[16] Taylor was released by the Red Sox at the end of spring training in 1994, then underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left rotator cuff,[17] causing him to miss the 1994 season.

[18] He played a final professional season in 1995, at the Triple-A level in the Pacific Coast League with the Calgary Cannons, a farm team of the Pittsburgh Pirates.