Monte Lee message to Bubba Chandler, Will Taylor about MLB Draft

On3 imageby:Matt Connolly06/21/21

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CLEMSON — Clemson baseball coach Monte Lee feels good about the future of the Tigers program, despite his team finishing 25-27 this past season.

He’ll feel even better about where things are heading if Clemson has Bubba Chandler, Will Taylor or both playing baseball and football for the Tigers next year.

Bubba Chandler and Will Taylor are the prized recruits in Clemson’s baseball class and are both also committed to play quarterback for Dabo Swinney and his Tigers. However, they’re also projected to be first-round draft picks in next month’s MLB Draft. Lee has been communicating with both two-sports stars regularly about their upcoming decisions.

“I’ve met with Bubba and his family. I’ve met with Will and his family. And I’m going to meet with one of them today,” Lee said during a press conference Monday morning. “So yes, I am actively communicating with both of those guys and their families and meeting with them face-to-face over the course of this week.”

If selected in the first round, Chandler and Taylor would likely be offered more than $2 million. Taylor is projected to be picked No. 16 overall in MLB.com’s latest mock draft, with Chandler coming in at No. 24.

The slot value for those picks are $3,745,500 and $2,831,300, respectively.

Will Taylor - Clemson - QB

Clemson signee Will Taylor has a big decision to make. (Will Taylor/Instagram)

Still, playing quarterback for one of the best football programs in the country and baseball for a program that has historically been really good isn’t a bad option, either. That’s the message that Lee has passed on.

“What’s the right move for them is going to be a family decision. What we try to do is we try to share with them the benefits of the Clemson experience. I mean I don’t know if you can have a better experience than going to school at a school like Clemson, playing in the best football program in the country with Clemson football. And getting a chance to do both is a very unique situation,” Lee said.

“When you can play football and baseball at Clemson, I don’t know that there is a price tag on that type of experience.”

Taylor, who starred at Dutch Fork High, led Dutch Fork to a football state title in 2020. He passed for 2,237 yards and 21 touchdowns, with four interceptions last year. He is an outfielder on the baseball diamond and hit .429 with seven homers and 30 RBIs.

Chandler is a pitcher who throws in the mid-90s. He’s a two-way player who also plays shortstop and some teams are reportedly considering drafting him as a hitter.

“Listen, those guys have a very tough decision to make when you are garnering first-round type opportunities in the baseball draft — trying to make a decision as to what’s best for your future,” Lee said. “But the biggest thing that we’re doing is just trying to show them just how great the experience is here at Clemson and what benefits it can provide for them.”