Chris Taylor has been a key contributor to the Los Angeles Dodgers’ success in recent years, but he struggled to find any consistency during the 2024 season.
The 34-year-old endured arguably the worst campaign of his big league career, hitting just .202/.298/.300 with seven doubles, one triple, four home runs and 23 RBI in 246 plate appearances (87 games).
Taylor missed some time due to a left groin strain but his role was significantly reduced as well. Taylor seemingly was a candidate to be designated for assignment at various points in the year but ultimately remained with the team.
Taylor acknowledged that he had a difficult season but still hopes to help the Dodgers in the playoffs, via Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group:
“I think my year is what it is. I’ve accepted that for a while,” Taylor said. “My goal is to help this team win any way I can and try to get ready for the postseason. I’m kind of hanging my hat on being ready and helping this team win the World Series.”
Taylor should earn a spot on the Dodgers’ postseason roster due in large part to the team valuing his ability to play all over the field. He appeared at four different positions this season, including left field, third base, second base and center field.
To Taylor’s credit, he also fared a lot better at the plate in the second half, albeit in limited opportunities. He hit .303/.356/.409 with five extra-base hits and eight RBI in 73 plate appearances while appearing in 28 games after the All-Star break.
Chris Taylor worked on swing changes
Amid his offensive struggles, Taylor worked on making some changes to his swing.
“Reports have been good. He’s healthy. I think the thing for Chris is he’s got to handle the fastball,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said earlier this season.
“It’s got to be a swing that works well enough to not play every day, to come off the bench and take good at-bats, and so that’s going to be the role. And so whatever that looks like, he’s done it before, and that’s what I’m looking for.
“So he is certainly a mechanics guy, but once we get him back, I expect him to be back and be ready to help us win. Because we’re going to need all 26 guys to be productive.”
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