Play Ball! Former Bismarck Larks Pitcher On His Way To The Pros

The odds of making it to a professional level in baseball are a major deterrent to many talented players around the country

I mean if you just take a second or two, and think about all the youth baseball leagues around the country, which then leads to high school and college and some end up playing collegiate summer baseball - like Kai Taylor did for our Bismarck Larks in the Northwoods League. So now, what would your guess be on what the odds are on making it at the professional level?

Every young baseball player dreams of walking out on the field in front of the home crowd - a Major Leaguer 

Well, the odds aren't in your favor -according to chasingmlbdreams.com "Approximately 1 in every 200 high school baseball players or .05% will be drafted by a major league team into the minor leagues. Only 5.6% of high school players advance on to college to play at some level of college baseball. Those who make it through college have a better chance to be drafted as 10.5% of college players get drafted or signed as a free agent by one of the teams in major league baseball"

One such former Bismarck Larks player is challenging the above odds

Late last month, Kai Taylor made his professional debut. According to a press release just yesterday from Hope Sisk - Marketing Director of the Bismarck Larks - "Former Larks pitcher Kai Taylor is embarking on a professional career in baseball after signing with the Schaumburg Boomers earlier this month. Taylor came back to the Larks for a second season in 2025, after being named a 2024 Northwoods League All-Star. 

During the 2025 season, Taylor posted a 2.49 ERA and 18 strikeouts in 21.2 innings pitched. In 2024, Taylor had the best ERA for qualified pitchers in the Northwoods League at 2.48. Taylor debuted with the Boomers on June 25, throwing a pair of scoreless innings in relief. 

Good Luck Kai!