March 22nd, 2019 at 9:00 am 
by 0799291000348 When you think of Dodgers utility infielder / outfielder Chris Taylor, what words come to mind? – Talented? Perplexing? Aggressive? Frustrating? Streaky?
Undeniably talented, the 28-year-old Virginia Beach, Virginia native and Seattle Mariners 2011 fifth-round draft pick has the ability to raise fans out of their seats, cheering for the big hit, or the impossible catch. But all too frequently those same fans are left shaking their heads in disbelief as Taylor strikes out with runners in scoring position and walks back to the dugout with another wasted at-bat.
Taylor’s vicious swing generated an incredible .361 Batted-Ball-in-Play (BABIP) average in 2017 when he slashed .288/.354/.496/.850. In 2018, his BABIP was .345 (Mike Trout’s was .346), but his strikeout rate jumped from 25 percent (a 20 percent increase over 2017), which led to a lowered slash-line of .254/.331/.444/.775.
How good was Taylor in the clutch? In his last 25 regular season games of 2018 he slashed .345/.433/.586/1.019, as the Dodgers fought for their sixth consecutive NL West title and postseason play. In the 2018 NLCS against the Milwaukee Brewers, Taylor slashed .364/.462/.500/.962 while making one of the most magnificent catches in postseason play … ever.
The Yin and Yang of Chris Taylor.
Taylor went to spring training 2019 as a consensus “regular,” only in need of a position. There was no reason for him to be platooned. In his career he has hit right-handed pitching as well as left-handers, and his defense is above average. Seemingly, only the health of the rehabbing Corey Seager would keep Taylor from starting the season at shortstop or second base. On top of everything else, Taylor’s personal batting instructor, Robert Van Scoyoc, was hired by the Dodgers during the off-season to replace the highly-regarded Turner Ward as the team’s hitting coach, with Ward opting to work closer to home.
What could possibly go wrong?
Yin with no Yang.
Through March 20, Taylor’s strike out rate in the Cactus League is 36 percent and his batting average is below the Mendoza line. Corey Seager will be the Opening Day shortstop and Kiké Hernandez has no doubt won the regular second base position with an outstanding spring. If, in baseball jargon, a regular position was Taylor’s to lose, it appears that he has played himself into a utility role rather than a regular spot in the lineup.
I wonder if Chris Taylor thinks of spring training games as “meaningless games,” as many do?
* * * * * *
Posted in 
Maybe he’ll come out of his slump right at the start of the season. Or eventually.
I am hoping for the best and that Taylor can reduce those K’s. he’s a great defender and IS A RHB on a team still far too LH and has HR power. No need for 30 HR’s but he is someone who can fill in for extended periods and the team does not miss a beat. Not bad for an ‘utility’ guy who has 38 HR’s in past 2 seasons.
And a 8.9 WAR over last 2 seasons.
Too many strikeouts unproductive at bats………
Exactly. Hello Bluz!
Taylor’s choice, fix the strike out rate and be a regular, perhaps even an all star, or be content to be a bench/platoon player. Reduce his strike out rate to 20% (preferably lower) and he has the talent to be an all star.
Seconded!
Thirded!