Beau Taylor

Beau Ritchie Taylor (born February 13, 1990) is an American former professional baseball catcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Oakland Athletics, Toronto Blue Jays, and Cleveland Indians.

Amateur
Taylor attended Rockledge High School in Rockledge, Florida and the University of Central Florida (UCF). He played for the UCF Knights baseball team, joining the team as a third baseman but converting to catcher to keep his scholarship. In 2010, he played collegiate summer baseball in the Cape Cod Baseball League for the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox.

Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics selected Taylor in the fifth round of the 2011 MLB draft. He was suspended for the first 50 games of the 2017 season due to testing positive for Adderall without a prescription. He became a free agent after the 2017 season, and signed a new contract with the Athletics.

On September 1, 2018, Taylor was selected to the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time. In seven games during his rookie campaign, he went 1–for–5 (.200) with one walk. On November 2, Taylor was removed from the 40–man roster and sent outright to Triple–A. He rejected the assignment and elected free agency the same day.

On November 9, 2018, Taylor re-signed with Oakland on a minor league deal contract. He was assigned to Triple–A Las Vegas to begin the season. On June 8, 2019, Oakland added Taylor to their major league roster following an injury to Nick Hundley. On June 18, Taylor hit his first major league home run off Gabriel Ynoa in a 16-2 victory over the Baltimore Orioles. On August 14, Taylor was designated for assignment following the promotion of Corban Joseph.

Toronto Blue Jays
On August 16, 2019, Taylor was claimed off waivers by the Toronto Blue Jays. He played in one game for Toronto, going 0–for–2, and spent most of his time with the Triple–A Buffalo Bisons. On September 7, Taylor was designated for assignment after Anthony Kay was promoted.

Oakland Athletics (second stint)
On September 10, 2019, the Oakland Athletics claimed Taylor off waivers. On September 25, Taylor was designated for assignment. He elected free agency on October 8, 2019.

Cleveland Indians
On December 6, 2019, Taylor signed a minor league contract with the Cleveland Indians. The Indians selected Taylor's contract on July 28, 2020. Overall with the 2020 Cleveland Indians, Taylor batted .048 with no home runs and 2 RBIs in 7 games. On March 27, 2021, Taylor was designated for assignment.

Cincinnati Reds
On April 3, 2021, Taylor was claimed off waivers by the Cincinnati Reds. Taylor spent the 2021 season with the Triple-A Louisville Bats. He played in 75 games for Louisville, hitting .255 with 4 home runs and 23 RBI's. On September 27, 2021, Taylor was designated for assignment by the Reds. On October 13, Taylor elected free agency.

Baltimore Orioles
On March 18, 2022, Taylor signed a minor league contract with the Baltimore Orioles. Taylor played in 23 games for the Triple-A Norfolk Tides, hitting .183/.352/.282 with 2 home runs and 5 RBI. He was released by the Orioles organization on July 20.

Oakland Athletics (third stint)
On July 29, 2022, Taylor signed a minor league deal with the Oakland Athletics. Playing in 27 games for the Triple-A Las Vegas Aviators to close out the year, Taylor slashed .250/.375/.430 with 4 home runs and 13 RBI. He elected free agency following the season on November 10.

High Point Rockers
On April 28, 2023, Taylor signed with the High Point Rockers of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. In 77 games for the Rockers, Taylor hit .291/.386/.453 with 9 home runs and 61 RBI.

Seattle Mariners
On April 9, 2024, Taylor signed a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners. However, on April 14, it was announced that Taylor had retired and taken the first base coach role with the Mariners' Triple–A affiliate, the Tacoma Rainiers.