When Kiké Hernandez departed from the Los Angeles Dodgers in free agency, it created an opportunity for Zach McKinstry to take on the utility role he left behind.
Through the club’s first 11 games of the regular season, the 25-year-old has already appeared at three different positions, receiving most of his playing time in right field.
McKinstry entered the year with minimal outfield experience, having played only 17 games there as a professional. He logged just eight innings in right field for the Dodgers during the 2020 season.
Despite the lack of reps, McKinstry noted his confidence in the outfield is growing with each game. “Definitely a lot. Going over the wall the other day, it’s definitely grown,” he said.
“I’m getting more accustomed to the outfield. Every day is a different journey, but just try to keep going and getting better.”
Perhaps the best example of McKinstry adjusting to the outfield is when he flipped over the right-field wall in foul territory attempting to make a catch in the Dodgers’ home opener against the Washington Nationals.
Rather than get discouraged, McKinstry applied what he learned to make a terrific sliding catch near the line the following game. “Knowing the grounds here, being able to slide in that situation instead of staying on my feet,” he explained.
“Just knowing the whereabouts of the fence and all that kind of stuff.”
Still in the early stages of his career, McKinstry has drawn comparisons to Chris Taylor for their similar styles and ability to play all over the diamond. “I look up to C.T., he’s a great teammate, talks to me a lot about the game,” McKinstry said.
“Even last year in Summer Camp, when we were walking out of the stadium he’d say, ‘Hey man, just stay with it. You’re going to be facing good pitchers in the future. Their job is to get you out. Just stick with it and play hard.’ I watch him.
“He’s a great role model to watch. He plays hard every day that he’s in the lineup.”
The respect McKinstry has for Taylor is mutual, as the latter recently praised the 33rd-round draft pick.
McKinstry in turn credited Taylor for helping stay prepared for any role. “He’s awesome with it. Take ground balls and then shagging during BP, he’s kind of the first guy I saw do that,” McKinstry said.
“Kind of go hard in BP and actually get some really good reads off the bat. He’s just a guy you watch. He leads by example. He’s not much of a talker until you get to know him a little bit. He’s a good guy.”
Roberts impressed with McKinstry
In addition to receiving praise from several teammates, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has been impressed with McKinstry’s overall play. “His poise in the batter’s box, his defense. He just takes really good at-bats,” Roberts said.
“He has a gameplan, nice short swing. He’s just had a propensity to get a big hit for us. It’s fun to watch.”
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