July 18th, 2023 at 8:00 am 
by Ron Cervenka Dodgers utility infielder/outfielder Chris Taylor is one of those guys that Dodgers fans seem to either really really like or really really don’t, for whatever their personal reasons. But whichever Chris Taylor camp you are in, it is impossible not be impressed with his uncanny knack for coming up with an insanely crucial hit, run, stolen base, or stellar defensive play when one is absolutely needed.
During Monday evening’s game against the Baltimore Orioles at beautiful Oriole Park at Camden Yards, the 32-year-old Virginia Beach, VA native and fifth-round draft pick in 2012 by the Seattle Mariners out of the University of Virginia who was traded to the Dodgers in 2016 for super star hopeful Zach Lee (he wasn’t), had one of those Chris Taylor moments when, in the top of the sixth inning and his team down 4-2, hit a 416-foot grand slam home run to center field to give his team a 6-4 lead and eventual win.
It was CT3’s (as he is affectionately known) second grand slam of the season and sixth of his career. It was also the Dodgers ninth grand slam this season.
“I was just fighting off pitches. He kept coming with that heater in the top of the zone,” Taylor told SportsNet LA’s Kirsten Watson postgame. “I was just trying to keep like a line drive approach and I was just able to get to the one.”
The ‘He’ was 28-year-old Orioles right-hander Bryan Baker, and ‘the one’ was a 97.7 mph four-seam fastball ‘in the top of the zone’ that Taylor absolutely crushed.
(SportsNet LA)
“He just keeps coming up with big hits and that’s just kind of his hallmark,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said of Taylor postgame. “You know, actually I thought the first couple were decent at-bats, but when we need him most, he always finds a way to come through.”
Like him or not, Chris Taylor came through.
Again.
Play Ball!
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If I correctly recall, Taylor’s first and 100th home runs as a Dodger were grand slams. Personally, I enjoy watching Taylor play the game — anything less than 100% is simply not in his behavioral make up. That being said, he is one of those players who can drive me to extreme levels of frustration when he watches third strikes pass through the heart of the plate while his bat remains loaded but trigger not pulled. And his upper cut swing that has driven his strike out rate into the 33% and above range. Against the Mets and again last night it was noticeable that his swing path has changed since going on the IL. Perhaps that lengthy absence was a blessing as he worked on his swing mechanics. If Taylor returns full time to the numbers he put up during the period 2017-21 the Dodgers are in great shape, wherever he plays defensively.
Frustration is a far better description than dislike. His strikeouts, usually at the absolute worst possible time, drive me nuts as well.
I neglected to mention that he is among the most well liked guys in the Dodgers clubhouse.
I felt CT3 was the one free agent of that group we could ill afford to lose.
If he had continued to put the 2017-2021 play all over make great plays, he was a bargain. Still like him want him on the team.