Taylor played college baseball for three seasons with the Bowling Green Falcons,[4] receiving all-Mid-American Conference (MAC) honorable mention in 1986 and 1987, and second-team honors in 1988.[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.[6] He was named the team's outstanding pitcher for 1988,[5]: 3–4 having recorded 87 strikeouts in 83+1⁄3innings pitched (9.4 strikeouts per nine innings pitched) while posting a 4–5 record with a 3.24 ERA.[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.[11] He was limited to just 3+2⁄3 innings due to a tender left bicep muscle.[12] In 1989, he played for the Class ALynchburg Red Sox in the Carolina League, making 19 appearances (nine starts) while pitching to a 5–3 record with a 2.89 ERA and 99 strikeouts in 81 innings pitched.[13]
Taylor first reached the Double-A level in 1990, and the Triple-A level in 1991.[11] Taylor was a September call-up for Boston in both 1992 and 1993, appearing in four games (one start) from mid-September through the end of the season in 1992,[14] and in 16 games (all in relief) during the final month of the 1993 season.[15] In 20 total major-league appearances (one start), Taylor pitched to a 1–2 record with an ERA of 6.31; he struck out 15 batters in 25+2⁄3innings pitched.[16]