Taylor Valentine

BIOGRAPHY

Taylor Valentine was named Assistant Baseball Coach for Centre College the summer of 2019 with responsibilities focused on hitting, infield play and recruiting.

The Cincinnati native comes to Centre from the University of Illinois at Chicago where he coached UIC to the 2019 Horizon League Championship and NCAA CWS Louisville Regional.  While at UIC, Valentine coached all position players and hitters, having success with a 10th round MLB draft pick, three ABCA All-Midwest Region 2nd team, NCBWA Freshman 2nd team All- American, MVP Horizon League Championship, three Horizon All-League 1st team, three Horizon All-League 2nd team, three Horizon All-Academic team members. Valentine also held responsibility as UIC’s Baseball Camp Coordinator marketing to young aspiring players and prospects with 500 campers attending six camps.

Valentine spent 2016-2018 as Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator at his alma mater, Asbury University, building the program to an NCSA Power Ranking Top 3 best NAIA Baseball Program for student athletes

In 2018, Valentine helped the Eagles garner some national recognition on the base paths by being ranked second in stolen base attempts, third in stolen bases per game, and 16^th in total stolen bases. Valentine coached four Asbury hitters to a .300-plus batting average and eight Eagles to a .900-plus fielding percentage.

In 2017, Valentine excelled in his recruiting coordinator position. With an eye for quality student-athletes, AU added one of the largest recruiting classes with 20 young standouts and transfers to the Eagles roster for the new season. That year six Asbury hitters batted .300 or higher and 10 owned a fielding percentage of .900 or better. Valentine coached River States All-Conference selection middle infielder, River States Champions of Character and Lexington Clinic Citizen Athlete of the Year.

In 2016, Valentine focused on scouting and developing the Eagles infield play which contributed to a .942 team fielding percentage and 14 future Eagles. Valentine coached All-Conference selection and All-Conference Comeback Player of the Year.

Coach Valentine has spent two years with USA Baseball.  In the Summer of 2019, he was named USA Baseball Midwest Region 16U Head Coach where he had three stars selected to the National Team Development Program (NTDP).  Valentine was also named Head Coach for the Game Day USA All-Star Tournament Series, having four players selected. He has led operational efforts for one of Baseball Factory’s largest identification events at Pirate City, FL. along with National Tryouts in Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia.

Valentine began his collegiate playing career at Milligan College in 2010-13 before transferring to Asbury University as a middle-infield impact player for the 2014 and 2015 seasons.

Valentine is a 2016 graduate of Asbury University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Leadership and Coaching and is a member of the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA).