TOM Taylor, the young bowler who has made the biggest impact so far of the latest group to graduate from the Derbyshire academy, has signed a two-year professional contract.
Since making his first-class debut against Leicestershire in June, the 19-year-old from Stoke has become an established member of the bowling attack in the LV County Championship and has played in all four of Derbyshire's matches so far in the Royal London One-Day Cup.
His 15 Championship wickets included a maiden five-wicket haul in the victory over Gloucestershire at Cheltenham.
"Our plan for bringing future success revolves around proven match-winners alongside home-grown talent such as Tom Taylor," said elite performance director Graeme Welch.
"The mission of our coaching team is to create a culture in which Tom and his home-grown teammates - the likes of Ben Cotton, Greg Cork and Harvey Hosein – achieve their potential and become consistent match-winners themselves.
"We've been impressed with Tom since he broke into the side. This is reward for the great promise he's showing.
"As soon as I saw the lad bowl I knew he had potential. He's backed that up by showing a really level head under pressure and becoming an integral part of our bowling unit.
"The next two years are about continuing to work hard, learning his craft, becoming more tactically aware and starting to really fulfil his potential."
Taylor follows Cork and Hosein, who have also made their senior debuts this season, in signing their first full professional contracts in recent weeks.
