Dodgers: Outfield Grades for the Month of May

Here we have a player who is playing a position he usually does not play. But with his incredible production swinging the bat, the skipper had to find a way to work him into the lineup. This process of teaching him how to play outfield had to be sped up when Joc Pederson obtained a concussion in an ugly collision with Yasiel Puig.

Couple that with Toles, Gutierrez, and struggling bats like Thompson and Van Slyke, the Dodgers have something they haven’t had in years, a shortage of outfielders. This is why Taylor became an option in the outfield.

Taylor, much like Bellinger, forced Roberts to keep him with the big league squad with his bat. In fact, Taylor tied with Yasmani Grandal for the team lead in hits with 29 in the month of May. His offense is great, and in the infield, he plays a tremendous shortstop and second base.

In the outfield, he is still learning, and it is visible that his instincts are not quite there yet. His athleticism helps him make spectacular diving plays, but he isn’t good at reading the ball off the bat. His throws also tail-off when he throws from center. Yes, he still needs some work, but he has been a nice fill-in for the team.