Taylor Motter

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name = Taylor Motter

|image = Taylor Motter (52938710797) (cropped).jpg

|image_size = 220

|caption = Motter with the Memphis Redbirds in 2023

|team =

|number =

|position = Utility player

|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1989|9|18}}

|birth_place = West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S.

|bats = Right

|throws = Right

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate = May 16

|debutyear = 2016

|debutteam = Tampa Bay Rays

|debut2league= KBO

|debut2date = May 5

|debut2year = 2020

|debut2team = Kiwoom Heroes

|finalleague = MLB

|finaldate = August 30

|finalyear = 2023

|finalteam = St. Louis Cardinals

|final2league= KBO

|final2date = May 27

|final2year = 2020

|final2team = Kiwoom Heroes

|statleague = MLB

|statyear =

|stat1label = Batting average

|stat1value = .188

|stat2label = Home runs

|stat2value = 10

|stat3label = Runs batted in

|stat3value = 40

|stat2league = KBO

|stat2year =

|stat21label = Batting average

|stat21value = .114

|stat22label = Home runs

|stat22value = 1

|stat23label = Runs batted in

|stat23value = 3

|awards =

|teams =

Tampa Bay Rays ({{mlby|2016}})
Seattle Mariners ({{mlby|2017}}–{{mlby|2018}})
Minnesota Twins ({{mlby|2018}})
Kiwoom Heroes ({{baseball year|2020}})
Colorado Rockies ({{mlby|2021}})
Boston Red Sox ({{mlby|2021}})
Cincinnati Reds ({{mlby|2022}})
St. Louis Cardinals ({{mlby|2023}})

}}

Taylor Davis Motter (born September 18, 1989) is an American former professional baseball utility player. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Tampa Bay Rays, Seattle Mariners, Minnesota Twins, Colorado Rockies, Boston Red Sox, Cincinnati Reds, and St. Louis Cardinals, and in the KBO League for the Kiwoom Heroes.

Amateur career

Motter graduated from Palm Beach Gardens Community High School in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida and played college baseball at Coastal Carolina University in Conway, South Carolina. In three seasons with the Chanticleers (2009–2011), he appeared in 187 games (185 starts) and had a .303 batting average with 18 home runs and 110 runs batted in (RBIs) with a .482 slugging percentage. He helped lead Coastal Carolina to three consecutive Big South Conference baseball championships, three NCAA Regional appearances, and one NCAA Super Regional appearance (2010). While only hitting .256 with no home runs and three RBIs in 13 Big South tournament games, Motter, in 13 NCAA Regional/Super Regional games, hit .333 with three home runs and nine RBIs while compiling a .622 slugging percentage.

In 2010, Motter played collegiate summer baseball with the Harwich Mariners of the Cape Cod Baseball League.{{Cite web |title=#14 Taylor Motter - Profile |url=http://pointstreak.com/baseball/player.html?playerid=56621&seasonid=239 |publisher=pointstreak.com |accessdate=September 25, 2019}} He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 17th round of the 2011 MLB draft.{{Cite web |title=Baseball never changes for Motter |url=http://www.bdtonline.com/sports/local_sports/baseball-never-changes-for-motter/article_f046e1e8-1a75-5519-b1bd-1818dd8b0a08.html |website=Bluefield Daily Telegraph |date=July 14, 2011 |accessdate=December 14, 2015}}

Professional career

=Tampa Bay Rays=

File:Taylor Motter on June 25, 2016.jpg

In 2011, Motter played in Minor League Baseball with the Princeton Rays and Bowling Green Hot Rods.{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=motter000tay |title=Taylor Motter Amateur, College, Minor, Winter, Independent, & Korean Leagues Statistics & History |website=Baseball-Reference.com |accessdate=September 3, 2021}} He spent 2012 with Bowling Green, 2013 with the Gulf Coast Rays and Charlotte Stone Crabs, 2014 with the Montgomery Biscuits and 2015 in Triple-A with the Durham Bulls.{{Cite web |last=Brooke PryorHerald-Sun |date=July 31, 2015 |title=Motter making the best of his time with the Bulls |url=http://www.heraldsun.com/sports/motter-making-the-best-of-his-time-with-the-bulls/article_371a4922-d7ca-5944-90bc-6cdda3c05034.html |website=The Herald-Sun |accessdate=December 14, 2015}}{{Cite web |title=Catching up with former CCU baseball star Taylor Motter |url=http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/sports/college/big-south/coastal-carolina-university/the-roost-blog/article17866916.html |website=myrtlebeachonline |accessdate=December 14, 2015}} In 2014, he was the MVP of the Southern League All-Star Game after going 3-for-3 with a home run.{{Cite web |title=Biscuits' Taylor Motter earns MVP in leading South Division to Southern League All-Star Game win |url=http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2014/06/biscuits_taylor_motter_earns_m.html |website=AL.com |date=June 18, 2014 |accessdate=December 14, 2015}} In 2015, Motter was named team MVP of the Durham Bulls after batting .292 and leading the International League in doubles (43) and extra-base hits (58).{{Cite web |title=2015 Durham Bulls Season in Review – Durham Bulls News |url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-151385360 |website=Durham Bulls |access-date=December 14, 2015}} The Rays added Motter to their 40-man roster after the 2015 season.{{Cite web |title=Rays add Blake Snell, five others to 40-man |url=http://m.rays.mlb.com/news/article/157761066/rays-add-blake-snell-five-others-to-40-man |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151121145541/http://m.rays.mlb.com/news/article/157761066/rays-add-blake-snell-five-others-to-40-man |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 21, 2015 |website=Tampa Bay Rays |accessdate=December 14, 2015}}

Motter was called up to the major leagues on May 15, 2016.{{cite web |url=http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/rays/for-starters-taylor-motter-joins-rays-against-as/2277456 |title=For starters: Taylor Motter joins Rays against A's |website=www.tampabay.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160516100135/http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/rays/for-starters-taylor-motter-joins-rays-against-as/2277456 |archive-date=2016-05-16}} He recorded his first major-league hit the next day in his first at bat, off of J. A. Happ of the Toronto Blue Jays.{{cite web| url = http://m.rays.mlb.com/news/article/178507138/rays-taylor-motter-records-first-mlb-hit| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160518111443/http://m.rays.mlb.com/news/article/178507138/rays-taylor-motter-records-first-mlb-hit| archive-date = 2016-05-18| title = Rays' Taylor Motter records first MLB hit}} The following game, he hit his first major-league home run, off of Toronto's Drew Storen.{{cite web| url = http://m.rays.mlb.com/news/article/178662578/rays-hand-marcus-stroman-first-defeat-of-2016| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160519120205/http://m.rays.mlb.com/news/article/178662578/rays-hand-marcus-stroman-first-defeat-of-2016| archive-date = 2016-05-19| title = Rays hand Marcus Stroman first defeat of 2016}} Motter made 33 appearances with the 2016 Rays, batting .188 with two home runs and nine RBIs.{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/motteta01.shtml |title=Taylor Motter Stats |website=Baseball-Reference.com |accessdate=September 3, 2021}}

=Seattle Mariners=

On November 18, 2016, Motter and Richie Shaffer were traded to the Seattle Mariners for Andrew Kittredge, Dalton Kelly, and Dylan Thompson.{{cite web| url = http://m.mariners.mlb.com/news/article/209183834/mariners-trade-for-shaffer-motter-pazos/| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161119115548/http://m.mariners.mlb.com/news/article/209183834/mariners-trade-for-shaffer-motter-pazos/| archive-date = 2016-11-19| title = Mariners trade for Shaffer, Motter, Pazos}} During 2017, Motter played in 92 games for the Mariners, batting .198 with seven home runs and 26 RBIs. He also played 25 games in Triple-A with the Tacoma Rainiers, where he had a .350 average. Early in the 2018 season, Motter split time between Tacoma (37 games, .197 average) and Seattle (seven games, .267 average).

=Minnesota Twins=

On May 28, 2018, Motter was claimed off waivers by the Minnesota Twins.{{cite web |url=https://www.mlb.com/twins/roster/transactions/2018/05 |title=Twins Roster & Staff – Transactions |website=MLB.com |publisher=Minnesota Twins |date=May 2018 |accessdate=September 3, 2021}} He appeared in nine games with the Twins where he batted .053 (1-for-19); he also played for two Minnesota farm teams. He was designated for assignment on July 24, sent outright to Triple-A on July 27,{{cite web |url=https://www.mlb.com/twins/roster/transactions/2018/07 |title=Twins Roster & Staff – Transactions |website=MLB.com |publisher=Minnesota Twins |date=July 2018 |accessdate=September 3, 2021}} and released on August 22.{{cite news |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/08/twins-release-taylor-motter.html |title=Twins Release Taylor Motter |first=Jeff |last=Todd |website=mlbtraderumors.com |date=August 22, 2018 |accessdate=September 3, 2021}}

=Detroit Tigers=

On March 6, 2019, Motter signed a minor-league deal with the Detroit Tigers organization.{{cite news |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/tigers-taylor-motter-earns-minors-deal-from-detroit/ |title=Tigers' Taylor Motter: Earns minors deal from Detroit |website=CBS Sports |date=March 6, 2019 |accessdate=September 3, 2021}} He played in 10 games for the Double-A Erie SeaWolves, where he hit .148/.286/.222 with no home runs and 2 RBI. He was released by Detroit on May 14.{{cite news |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/taylor-motter-cut-loose-by-tigers/ |title=Taylor Motter: Cut loose by Tigers |website=CBS Sports |date=May 14, 2019 |accessdate=September 3, 2021}}

=New Britain Bees=

On May 21, 2019, Motter signed with the New Britain Bees of the independent Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. In 34 games, he batted .282/.396/.496 with five home runs and 28 RBI.

=Oakland Athletics=

On June 25, 2019, Motter's contract was purchased by the Oakland Athletics organization and he was assigned to the Double-A Midland RockHounds.{{Cite web |date=June 25, 2019 |title=Motter Has Contract Purchased |url=http://nbbees.com/team/news/?article_id=1238 |website=New Britain Bees |accessdate=June 25, 2019}} With Midland, Motter played in 60 games while batting .213/.300/.358 with eight home runs and 26 RBI. He elected free agency following the season on November 4.{{Cite web |last=Matt Eddy |date=November 7, 2019 |title=Minor League Free Agents 2019 |url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-free-agents-2019/ |website=Baseball America |accessdate=November 7, 2019}}

In November 2019, Motter was selected by the Sugar Land Skeeters of the Atlantic League in the dispersal draft of the New Britain Bees, as the Bees moved to the Futures Collegiate Baseball League and had held rights to Motter within the Atlantic League.{{cite news |url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/atlantic-league-completes-bees-player-dispersal-draft/n-5568709 |title=Atlantic League Completes Bees Player Dispersal Draft |website=oursportscentral.com |date=November 6, 2019 |publisher=Atlantic League |accessdate=September 3, 2021}}

=Kiwoom Heroes=

On December 12, 2019, Motter signed with the Kiwoom Heroes of the KBO League on a $350,000 contract.{{Cite web |date=December 12, 2019 |title=Ex-MLB player Taylor Motter signs with KBO's Kiwoom Heroes |url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20191212005100315 |website=Yonhap News Agency |accessdate=December 12, 2019}} In 10 games with the Heroes in 2020, he batted .114 (4-for-35). Motter was placed on waivers by the team on May 29 after being sent down to their farm team earlier in the month.{{Cite web |date=May 29, 2020 |title=International Transactions: 5/29/20 |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/05/international-transactions-52920.html |website=MLB Trade Rumors |accessdate=May 30, 2020}} Motter also played five games and batted .444 (8-for-18) during 2020 with the Jersey Wise Guys of the All-American Baseball Challenge, a six-team recreational league formed in the New York metropolitan area during the COVID-19 pandemic.

=Colorado Rockies=

On March 3, 2021, Motter signed a minor-league contract with the Colorado Rockies. After playing in 67 games for the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes, hitting .335 with 24 home runs and 57 RBIs, Motter's contract was selected by the Rockies on August 10, 2021.{{cite news |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/08/rockies-place-raimel-tapia-on-10-day-il-select-taylor-motter.html |title=Rockies Place Raimel Tapia On 10-Day IL, Select Taylor Motter |first=Mark |last=Polishuk |website=mlbtraderumors.com |date=August 10, 2021 |accessdate=September 3, 2021}} In 13 games for the Rockies, Motter struggled to a .150 average (3-for-20) without a home run or RBI. On August 30, 2021, Motter was designated for assignment by the Rockies.{{cite news |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/08/rockies-designate-taylor-motter-for-assignment.html |title=Rockies Designate Taylor Motter For Assignment |first1=Steve |last1=Adams |first2=Anthony |last2=Franco |website=mlbtraderumors.com |date=August 30, 2021 |accessdate=September 3, 2021}}

=Boston Red Sox=

On September 2, 2021, Motter was claimed off of waivers by the Boston Red Sox.{{cite web |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/09/red-sox-claim-taylor-motter-waivers-rockies.html |title=Red Sox Claim Taylor Motter |first=Steve |last=Adams |website=mlbtraderumors.com |date=September 2, 2021 |accessdate=September 2, 2021}} Two days later, Motter was added to Boston's active roster.{{cite news |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/09/red-sox-add-taylor-motter-option-connor-wong.html |title=Red Sox Add Taylor Motter, Option Connor Wong |first=TC |last=Zencka |website=mlbtraderumors.com |date=September 4, 2021 |accessdate=September 4, 2021}} After appearing in three games for Boston, he was designated for assignment,{{cite news |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/09/red-sox-designate-taylor-motter-for-assignment.html |title=Red Sox Designate Taylor Motter For Assignment |first=Anthony |last=Franco |website=mlbtraderumors.com |date=September 7, 2021 |accessdate=September 7, 2021}} then sent outright to the Triple-A Worcester Red Sox.{{cite web |url=https://bloggingtheredsox.com/2021/09/10/red-sox-outright-taylor-motter-to-triple-a-worcester-after-infielder-clears-waivers/ |title=Red Sox outright Taylor Motter to Triple-A Worcester after infielder clears waivers |first=Brendan |last=Campbell |website=bloggingtheredsox.com |date=September 10, 2021 |accessdate=September 13, 2021}} On October 5, Motter elected free agency.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/10/players-recently-electing-free-agency.html|title=Players Recently Electing Free Agency|website=MLB Trade Rumors|author=Anthony Franco|date=October 7, 2021|access-date=October 8, 2021}}

=Cincinnati Reds=

On April 14, 2022, Motter signed with the Leones de Yucatán of the Mexican League.{{cite web|url=https://www.leones.mx/taylor-motter-llega-a-leones/|title=TAYLOR MOTTER LLEGA A LEONES|website=leones.mx|language=Spanish|access-date=April 14, 2022}} However, on April 22, he left the team after signing a minor league contract with the Cincinnati Reds organization.{{Cite web |title=Taylor Motter Stats, Fantasy & News |url=https://www.milb.com/player/taylor-motter-600301 |access-date=2022-04-24 |website=MLB.com |language=en}} He returned to the Major Leagues when he joined the Reds on May 20.{{Cite web|title=Reds' Taylor Motter: Joins big club|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/reds-taylor-motter-joins-big-club/amp/|access-date=2023-02-07|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} He appeared in two games, going 1-for-6 at the plate, and was returned to Triple-A on May 24.{{Cite web|title=Reds' Taylor Motter: Returned to Triple-A|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/reds-taylor-motter-returned-to-triple-a/amp/|access-date=2023-02-08|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} Motter was released by the Reds organization on July 21.

=Atlanta Braves=

On July 29, 2022, Motter signed a minor league deal with the Atlanta Braves. He played in 42 games for the Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers to finish the year, hitting .259/.372/.578 with 12 home runs, 36 RBI, and 2 stolen bases. Motter elected free agency following the season on November 10.{{Cite web|title=2022-23 Minor League Free Agents For All 30 MLB Teams|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2022-23-minor-league-free-agents-for-all-30-mlb-teams/?amphtml|access-date=2023-05-02|website=baseballamerica.com|date=November 13, 2022 |language=en}}

=St. Louis Cardinals=

On November 18, 2022, Motter signed a minor league deal with the St. Louis Cardinals. On March 25, 2023, the Cardinals announced that Motter had made the Opening Day roster after an impressive spring, and formally selected his contract to the 40-man roster.{{Cite web|title=Cardinals' Taylor Motter: Makes Opening Day roster|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/cardinals-taylor-motter-makes-opening-day-roster/amp/|access-date=2023-03-25|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} Motter appeared in 7 games with St. Louis, hitting .222/.300/.333 across 20 plate appearances. He was designated for assignment on April 23, after Paul DeJong was activated off of the injured list.{{cite web|title=Cardinals' Taylor Motter: Designated for assignment|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/cardinals-taylor-motter-designated-for-assignment/amp/|access-date=2023-04-23|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} He cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds on April 25.{{cite web|title=Cardinals' Taylor Motter: Sent outright to Memphis|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/cardinals-taylor-motter-sent-outright-to-memphis/amp/|access-date=2023-04-26|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} After electing free agency, Motter re-signed with the Cardinals on a major league contract the following day.{{cite web|title=Cardinals' Taylor Motter: Selected to STL roster|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/cardinals-taylor-motter-selected-to-stl-roster/amp/|access-date=2023-04-26|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} He made one appearance, going 0-for-2 against the Los Angeles Angels, before he was designated for assignment again on May 6 when Tres Barrera was added to the roster.{{cite web|title=Cardinals' Taylor Motter: Booted from roster again|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/cardinals-taylor-motter-booted-from-roster-again/amp/|access-date=2023-05-07|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} He again cleared waivers and was sent outright to Memphis on May 8.{{Cite web|title=Cardinals Outright Taylor Motter|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/05/cardinals-outright-taylor-motter-2.html|access-date=2023-05-08|website=mlbtraderumors.com|date=May 8, 2023 |language=en}} On July 23, Motter was selected back to the active roster and slotted as the starting second baseman in that day's game against the Chicago Cubs.{{Cite web|title=Cardinals' Taylor Motter: Called up, starting Sunday|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/cardinals-taylor-motter-called-up-starting-sunday/|access-date=July 23, 2023|website=cbssports.com|date=July 23, 2023 |language=en}} Motter was designated for assignment again on September 5.{{Cite web|title=Cardinals' Taylor Motter: Designated for assignment|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/cardinals-taylor-motter-designated-for-assignment-897534/|access-date=September 5, 2023|website=cbssports.com|date=September 5, 2023 |language=en}} He once again cleared waivers and was sent outright to Memphis on September 7.{{Cite web|title=Cardinals' Taylor Motter: Outrighted to Triple-A|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/cardinals-taylor-motter-outrighted-to-triple-a/|access-date=September 7, 2023|website=cbssports.com|date=September 7, 2023 |language=en}} On October 2, Motter elected free agency.

=Staten Island FerryHawks=

On April 21, 2024, Motter signed with the Staten Island FerryHawks of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.{{Cite tweet|user=FerryHawks|number=1782027384398487691|title=The FerryHawks have signed Taylor Motter! • Motter played for 7 big league clubs (TBR, SEA, MIN, COL, BOS, CIN, & SEA) across his 6 years in The Show! • The right-handed hitter brings a ton of experience and a veteran presence to the 2024 FerryHawks|date=21 April 2024|language=en|access-date=21 April 2024}} In 28 games for the FerryHawks, Motter hit .340/.434/.632 with eight home runs and 24 RBI.

=Leones de Yucatán=

On June 5, 2024, Motter signed with the Leones de Yucatán of the Mexican League.{{Cite web|title=LMB: Movimientos en listas de reserva - 5 de junio de 2024|url=https://www.milb.com/mexican/news/lmb-movimientos-en-listas-de-reserva-5-de-junio-de-2024|access-date=June 6, 2024|website=Minor League Baseball|language=en}} In 40 appearances for Yucatán, he slashed .303/.352/.566 with 11 home runs, 31 RBI, and two stolen bases. Motter was released on January 8, 2025.{{Cite web|title=LMB: Movimientos en listas de reserva - 8 de enero de 2025|url=https://www.milb.com/mexican/news/lmb-movimientos-en-listas-de-reserva-8-de-enero-de-2025|access-date=January 9, 2025|website=Minor League Baseball|language=en}}