Taillon, Bucs look ahead after fine rookie season

PITTSBURGH — This time last year, Jameson Taillon was pitching in his sixth straight tour of the Florida Instructional League, the “chain-link league,” so nicknamed for the fences that surround back fields like those behind the Pirates’ training complex in Bradenton, Fla.

On Wednesday night, Taillon wrapped up an impressive debut season in the Major Leagues, pitching six innings of one-hit, one-run ball against baseball’s best team in the Pirates’ 8-4 win over the Cubs at PNC Park.

Taillon, 24, completed a successful season in the Majors despite not pitching in the Minor Leagues the previous two years. He spent that time recovering from Tommy John surgery and a hernia operation, honing his body and his mechanics to be ready for moments like Wednesday night. That preparation paid off throughout the year, as Taillon emerged as an instantly reliable big league starter — and reinforced his status as a critical part of the Pirates’ future.

What does it all mean to him?

“This is the dream. This is where you want to be,” Taillon said. “Missing two years pitching in front of these fans and …

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