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Dodgers: Which Surprise Players Are Legit
By Brook Smith
Chris Taylor
More from Dodgers Way
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- Dodgers’ 2023 lineup without Trea Turner isn’t as impressive as it should be
- Don’t hold your breath on Dodgers making Justin Turner decision soon
- Recapping who Dodgers gained and lost in Rule 5 Draft
- Dodgers ironically sign former all-star to potentially replace Cody Bellinger
If there’s one guy on this Dodger roster you’re cheering for, it’s probably Chris Taylor. The guy is making it happen this year, all while playing in unfamiliar territory. Through the 2014 and 2015 season with Seattle, Taylor managed to squeak out a .239 batting average and didn’t hit any home runs.
But this year is similar to Justin Turner‘s first year as a Dodger. Taylor has popped nine home runs already and is hitting .302 on the season. This is coming from a guy that no one expected to make it onto the opening day roster despite a strong spring performance.
Now Taylor has a starting spot as he has found a home in the outfielder to contribute on a daily basis. And yes, while he sometimes looks like a newborn deer on ice skates tracking fly balls, he’s been effective. He might not make the highlight reel defensive plays, but Chris Taylor is absolutely demolishing opposing pitchers.
Remember that narrative that was SO last year? That the Dodgers couldn’t hit left-handed pitchers to save their lives? No, me neither because that has changed. Their average against lefties is just a touch under their team average against righties, and Chris Taylor is certainly a big part of that turnaround, hitting .361 against southpaw pitching. I’d say Los Angeles is just what he needed to get his bat going. Maybe there’s something in the water out west.
Next: JD Martinez to the Dodgers?
Conclusion: Legit
There’s plenty of players who could be mentioned in articles like this. So keep an eye out for a follow-up article that could feature the likes of Alex Wood, Kenley Jansen, and even Justin Turner.