WINTER HAVEN – Polk State Baseball's Nelson Taylor placed his name among the best junior college outfielders in the talent-rich state of Florida this past season, but the Clearwater native takes nothing for granted.

The trials and tribulations throughout Taylor's life have been many. When Taylor was just 5 years old, he was diagnosed with cancer when doctors found a Wilms tumor on his kidney. The kidney was removed; Taylor has been cancer-free since the age of 6. As a result of his condition, Taylor was not able to play contact sports.

"It was tough, because I was really interested in football," he noted. "That's what I liked first. Just about everyone in my family played football."

Now a Florida State University signee, 20-year-old Taylor was recognized this past season as a first-team All-Suncoast Conference selection, Suncoast Conference Defensive Player of the Year, a second-team All-FCSAA selection, and an FCSAA Gold Glove winner.

"It's been a long journey," Taylor said. "I've put in a lot of work to be in the position I'm in now."

To make sure the cancer never resurfaced, Taylor had regular checkups throughout his childhood, but they became less and less frequent as he got older. He currently gets just one checkup per year, but there are precautions Taylor still must take.
He must place more emphasis on hydrating than most people. Taylor is also not allowed to take any muscle-building supplements such as creatine.

"All the muscle I have is from hard work and God," he said.

Finding his way to baseball

From the ages of 7 to 10, Taylor focused on running track and participated in the Junior Olympics. From there, Taylor transitioned into team sports, but it wasn't baseball that he enjoyed most.

"I was very passionate about basketball," he said. "I definitely had to put more work into basketball. Baseball always came more naturally."

At Clearwater High School, Taylor played both sports. Standing at 6-foot-1 and 180 pounds, Taylor said he could have played basketball collegiately. Instead, he chose the sport that gave him the best chance to succeed long term.

"When I transitioned to college, I realized I could go further in baseball," he recalled. "I knew my best chance to go pro was in baseball. I had to make a business decision."

In the fall of 2021, Taylor enrolled at Polk State College. For the first time in his life, Taylor was able to focus on a single sport.

"The biggest adjustment was not going to basketball right after my classes," Taylor reflected. "My body felt better. Usually, I went into baseball season worn out from basketball."

For the first time, Taylor had the opportunity to allow his body to heal. As a high school junior, he played his entire basketball season and the start of the COVID-19-shortened baseball season with a torn labrum.

"It was painful, but it was worth it," he added. "It just shows how passionate I am."

Upon his arrival at Polk State, Taylor's success didn't come immediately. Despite struggling to get hits, Taylor did put together good at-bats, leading the team by drawing 39 walks and by stealing 27 bases. Overall, as a freshman in 2022, Taylor hit a paltry .236 with just nine extra-base hits.

"Being a two-sport guy for most of his life, he just needed more reps," said Polk State Head Coach Al Corbeil. "He did a great job of making adjustments. The more he plays, the better he's going to get."

After somewhat of a rough freshman year, Taylor spent the first part of the offseason working on his swing. For emotional guidance, he made a phone call to his first baseball coach – his father, Nelson Taylor, Sr.

"I prayed more," Taylor recalled. "I put my faith in God and just believed in myself more. It was a chance for me to go back to my roots and learn more about myself."

A summer to remember

Taylor's first offseason as a college athlete wouldn't be an idle one. Taylor had the opportunity to play in the Florida Collegiate Summer League where he earned All-Star honors as a member of the Seminole County Snappers.

"Over the summer, I just started working on myself more," Taylor said. "I had a lot of failures as a freshman. I just kept working."

After finishing in the top 10 of the Summer League in home runs and stolen bases, Taylor got an unexpected promotion – he was sent to the prestigious Cape Cod League. Sent to Massachusetts to play for the Bourne Braves, Taylor wasted little time making his presence felt. In his first at-bat, Taylor pulled one over the right-field wall for a home run in a 4-3 win over the Orleans Firebirds.

"I didn't try to hit a home run," Taylor said. "To go from the Florida League with (NCAA) Division II, Division III, and junior college guys to facing Division I arms was a big jump for me. I was just trying to fit in and do the best I could."

Taylor played in just seven games for Bourne, but helped the Braves win the Cape Cod League championship. He finished his time in the Cape Cod League with four RBIs.

"That was the most fun I ever had on a baseball field day-to-day," Taylor noted. "I learned a lot about the game in a short period of time. Being with guys more experienced than me allowed me to take it all in. It was intense and just so much fun to be a part of."

A star emerges

After a summer that culminated in an All-Star recognition and a Cape Cod League championship, Taylor returned to Polk State with a newfound confidence. He also emerged as the best player in the lineup for the Eagles.

"Baseball is a humbling game," Taylor said. "You can have the best game of your life one day and the worst the next. You learn to overcome failures. When you do that, you become great. I'd say that's why I've succeeded."

This past season, Taylor shined in the field and at the plate. In addition to boasting a perfect fielding percentage, he led the Eagles in most offensive categories, including batting average (.353), doubles (19), home runs (6), RBIs (48), slugging percentage (.620), and on-base percentage (.467). His 31 stolen bases led the entire state of Florida.

"His ability to show up every day and compete is what makes him so special," Corbeil added. "He doesn't like losing and he responds to failure so well. He has tremendous leadership ability. He's one of the most athletic players I've ever coached. He's got all the tools to be a big leaguer."

Taylor not only put up big numbers for Polk State as a sophomore, but he routinely came through in the clutch, particularly in Suncoast Conference play.

"He likes the big stage," Corbeil said. "He never shies away from those moments."

Against Hillsborough Community College in early April, Taylor had the late go-ahead hit in consecutive days, including a two-run home run in a 9-6 victory on April 7. In the Eagles' FCSAA Tournament-clinching berth over St. Petersburg College on April 15, Taylor had the game-tying RBI in the eighth inning before scoring the winning run on a wild pitch in the 11th.

"I was fortunate to be able to be put in those situations," Taylor noted. "I learned from failing in moments like these before. In situations before, I think I tried to be a superhero. I changed my approach and just tried not to do too much."

Trials and tribulations

For all his accolades, Taylor's ascension in the game of baseball has not been without its personal struggles. Coming from a big, close-knit family, Taylor has had to process more than his fair share of tragedy in recent years. In March 2020, Taylor's cousin, Ivon Cobbs, was shot and killed in Clearwater at the age of 18.

"We grew up doing everything together," Taylor recalled. "It was devastating for the family. He was so young; it was so unexpected."

In 2021, Taylor's mother, Kalisha Cobbs moved to Atlanta. It was the furthest that the Polk State outfielder had ever been away from his mom. Since 2021, both Taylor's mother and great-uncle, Will Cobbs, have battled colon cancer. Fortunately, both are now cancer-free.

"I've learned to overcome adversity on and off the field," Taylor said. "I have the best support system behind me. I'm just so blessed to have coaches, family, and friends who have always loved and supported me."

In addition to trying to focus on his faith and baseball, Taylor uses fishing as another way to occupy his time and clear his mind. Taylor and his father have long net fished in both freshwater and saltwater.

"My dad is the reason I fish," he said. "It's one of my go-to hobbies. It's where I find my peace."

Taylor entered his final season at Polk State with a heavy heart. About one month before the start of the 2023 season, his 31-year-old cousin, Marcell Lewis, died unexpectedly.

"It was another devastating loss," Taylor explained. "He was doing good in life. He just had a son and started a business. We were in disbelief. He was a big supporter of mine."

As Taylor began his final year at Polk State, he said he could feel his late cousin's presence. That brought him comfort.

"I felt like he was there in spirit," Taylor added. "His favorite team was Florida State and I remembered talking to him about it when they recruited me. It's crazy how it came to be. He was so happy I picked Florida State."

Looking back and ahead

Already signed by Florida State, Taylor will work out this month for Major League Baseball organizations with the potential to be drafted. Although his time at Polk State is over, it won't soon be forgotten.

"He's got a ton of personality," Corbeil said. "We were blessed and fortunate to have him. He's just one of those special kids – an absolute joy to be around."

As a member of the program, Taylor helped the Eagles reach back-to-back FCSAA Tournaments. He was also part of some milestone victories for Corbeil, including his 400th career win and record-breaking 419th. Taylor homered and drove in three runs in a 9-7 victory over Seminole State College of Florida on Feb. 17 as Corbeil surpassed Bing Tyus as the winningest coach in Polk State history.

"I'm honored to be a part of what Coach Corbeil has done with this program," Taylor noted. "He's very deserving of all his accolades. He's a great guy, who loves his staff and players."

For all his accomplishments at Polk State, Taylor hopes that his athletic career is just beginning. His ultimate goal is to play Major League Baseball.

"My family is extremely proud of what I'm doing," Taylor said. "I've always dreamed of playing in the majors and playing on TV. I've always hoped to be able to tell my mom, 'we did it.'"