Dodgers: Chris Taylor Stepping up With Corey Seager Out

Chris Taylor had a slow start to his 2019 season.  Since Seager’s latest injury, the Dodgers’ super utility man has been super.

Since coming over to the Dodgers in a lopsided trade for Zach Lee, Chris Taylor has been a valuable asset to the Dodgers.  Although he is no longer a full-time starter like he was in 2017 and most of 2018, the Dodgers’ super utility man still plays an important role on the team.  Taylor had a disappointing start to his 2019 season hitting just .197 in April.

Then came May and CT3 hit .300 with an OPS over .900.  Taylor then slowed down a bit in June and this month has a .246/.329/.492 slash line.  Outside of his good slugging percentage, his average and on-base percentage are not great but for a utility player, they are more than good enough.

Ever since Corey Seager went down with his latest injury, a mild grade two hamstring strain, Chris Taylor has been magnificent.  He is hitting .400 with two home runs and a 229 wRC+ since he took over most of the starts at shortstop.  CT3 also has an on-base percentage of .516 and a slugging percentage of .760 filling in for Seager.

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This isn’t anything new for Taylor or the Dodgers as they had to survive a few months without Corey Seager last year until Manny Machado was acquired before the non-waiver trade deadline.  This time around there will be no outside help since Corey is expected back shortly after the All-Star break.

It is up to Chris Taylor and Enrique Hernandez to fill in at shortstop and at worst play solid defense while trying to do anything they can to help at the plate.  With Hernandez struggling against right-handed pitching this season, Taylor is likely going to get the majority of the starts at shortstop against right-handed starters.

The good thing is that Chris Taylor seems to have put his early season woes behind him.  At the plate, he looks much more relaxed and in control.  The results are following and at the right time.  Corey Seager had been starting to look like his pre-surgery form right before his injury.  Taylor heating up helps lessen the impact of Seager’s bat missing from the lineup.

It wasn’t too long ago that many fans were calling for the Dodgers to send Chris Taylor to Triple-A or even worse, released from the team.  Not only has Taylor quieted those demands, but he has stepped up big time with Seager once again sidelined.  CT3 remains a valuable reserve for the boys in blue.