Former Yankees prospect Brien Taylor arrested on drug charges

The former No. 1 overall pick in Major League's amateur draft by the New York Yankees, former pitcher Brien Taylor, was arrested in his home town of Beaumont, N.C. on drug charges.

The flame-throwing pitcher— who's career was snuffed out even before it had a chance to glow— was arrested and charged with various drug charges on Thursday.

After the Yankees selected the left-hander with the top overall pick in the 1991 draft— the East Carteret High superstar— who had 213 strikeouts in 88 innings during his senior year— signed a contract worth  $1.55 million with the Bombers— an unheard of sum back then for an untested prospect.

George Steinbrenner was so desperate for the Yankees to sign their own equivalent of Dwight Gooden, he reportedly told his GM if he didn't sign Taylor at any cost, he would be "shot."

If you never heard of the highly-touted prospect— you probably weren't a pinstripes fan in the '90's— and you're not alone.

Taylor's long and sad road to obscurity began after the normally mild-mannered Taylor injured his shoulder in an off-season bar fight in 1993.  After a couple of decent minor league seasons, he never lived up to expectations after the brawl and was released by the Yankees in 1998.

The current charges against Taylor include possession and intent to sell and distribute cocaine after investigators bought " a large quantity of cocaine and crack from Taylor over a period of several months," according to the Newark Star-Ledger.

"Taylor is charged with 2 counts of trafficking in cocaine by possession, trafficking in cocaine by selling, trafficking in cocaine by manufacture, trafficking in cocaine by transport, and felony maintaining a vehicle."

He was also charged with one count each of possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver cocaine.

Taylor was placed in Carteret County jail and scheduled for a court appearance today.

The Yankees went all-in on Taylor and lost it with that one fight.  Fans never got to see him on the mound at Yankee Stadium.

After brief stints of rehab in the minor leagues— he disappeared from the Yankees radar and out of sight within a couple of years.

Taylor was so highly regarded, he was expected to be in the Yankees rotation by the age of 19.   Now, Taylor's only legacy is what could have been.  His name has become synonymous with those few years of Yankees' futility.

After being released by the Yankees, Taylor supported himself with odd jobs and occasionally appeared in the news for various legal troubles.

Such a waste of talent and life.