SCOTTS VALLEY >> Scotts Valley High, situated in a talent-rich and title hungry baseball community, has, surprisingly, never won a Central Coast Section title in the sport.

Newly named skipper Kevin Taylor, a 33-year-old former minor leaguer and first-year varsity coach, hopes to change that.

“The goal, granted, is player development, but I want to build a program that’s consistently in the top 100 in the state and competing for NorCal Division IV titles,” he said.

Taylor is stepping into a solid situation. He inherits a team that had one of its better seasons over the past decade. The Falcons (17-8) took second in the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League last season and reached the CCS D-IV semifinals under coach Sean Coyne, who stepped down after five seasons at the helm.

The Falcons are expected to return seven varsity players in the spring, including Kaleb Wing, a senior shortstop who is committed to Loyola Marymount.

Taylor, a GPS data analyst for a Preston Pipelines, grew up in Portland, Oregon, and shined as a second baseman at Sunset High before transferring to Western Nevada Community College. Following his sophomore season in college, he was drafted in the 36th round by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2011 MLB First-Year Player Draft.

“I like him,” said Louie Walters, the Falcons’ athletics director. “He’s got a lot of experience with him. He’s real knowledgeable in the sport. He’ll be a good leader for our kids.”

In his six-year career in organized baseball, Taylor batted .270 (450 for 1,666) with 20 home runs, 194 RBI, 213 runs, and 13 stolen bases.

He played three years in the Dodgers’ system and was released, had Tommy John surgery, played independent ball for two seasons, got bigger and stronger, and was signed by the New York Mets. He played three years in the Mets’ system and reached as high as the Double-A level with the Binghamton Rumble Ponies in 2018.

Taylor’s son, Kooper, 6, was born at the end of the ’18 season. Taylor played one more season of independent ball before calling it a career. He and his wife, Erin, also have a daughter, Kaylee, 3.

After retiring from baseball, Taylor and his family moved to San Jose, where he coached the Sirious Baseball travel team in Campbell and gave private lessons. The family later moved to Scotts Valley. Kooper wrapped up his second season of T-ball over the summer.

Taylor said Kooper was part of his inspiration to apply for the Falcons’ opening. He wants to “build a great program” for his son. He also wants to make an impact on other youth.

“Baseball had such a positive impact on my life and I want to be able to give back to the community and be somewhat of a mentor to the kids,” he said. “Being able to have a positive impact on their lives through baseball is what makes coaching so much fun.”

Peaks and valleys are a part of the game, and Taylor experienced his share of both during his playing career. He believes he’ll be able to motivate student-athletes to become better players and people.

“I wasn’t the most talented player,” Taylor said. “My work ethic and attitude got me to the next level.”

Practice for the 2025 season doesn’t begin for another four months, but Taylor is already working hard to make his vision a reality.

He has filled out his coaching staff with Ryan Wing, a former second-round draft pick who pitched in the minor leagues for seven seasons; Ryan Hinn, a former Gilroy standout who shined for Santa Clara University; and local youth coach Jake Brazil.

Taylor also has big plans for the Falcons’ home field. He said the visitor’s dugout has been upgraded, and he plans to add another batting cage, which will be located behind the home dugout, and add lights and wind nets to both cages.

Scotts Valley made two section finals in school history, the last appearance coming two decades ago. During that stretch, the Falcons produced two MLBers, Robbie Erlin and Shane Carle, but they’ve also seen several prospective Falcons elect to compete at private schools over the hill, including current Valley Christian talent Brock Ketelsen, a Stanford University commit, and former Warriors flame thrower Jacob Hudson.

“I can’t believe what a baseball hotbed Scotts Valley is for such a small town,” Taylor said. “We want to change the culture and build a program. We want to let kids know that they don’t need to drive over the hill or Santa Cruz and they can still play for an incredible program.

“If we can keep all the core kids together, we’re going to be pretty successful. We want to try and take it to the next level.”