Chris Taylor was named National League Player of the Week for games played from July 19-25, 2021, joining AJ Pollock as members of the Los Angeles Dodgers to receive the honor this season.
Pollock also was recognized this month, earning recognition for his performance from July 5-11. Prior to Pollock, Corey Seager was the Dodgers’ last NL Player of the Week in September 2019.
With Mookie Betts unable to play because of right hip irritation, Taylor was placed in the leadoff spot of the Dodgers’ lineup and more than filled in admirably. Starting in all seven games during the week he was recognized for, Taylor hit .414/.433/1.000 with two doubles, five home runs and seven RBI.
Taylor went 0-for-4 in last Monday’s loss to the San Francisco Giants, then hit safely in each of the next six games. Included in his offensive onslaught were two leadoff home runs and a pair of multi-homer games.
Taylor’s two home runs on Sunday helped the Dodgers complete a comeback and get a series win against the Colorado Rockies. “The first one, I had two strikes on me and honestly I was trying to stay right-center on him and hit the ball the other way,” Taylor said after the game.
“I was a little out in front of it but I was able to get it in the air and out. Ball was carrying pretty good since it was a day game. I’m not sure that gets out in a night game. That second one, he just left a curveball up that I was able to hit in the air.”
On top of providing consistent production with his bat, Taylor has continued to play quality defense at shortstop as the Dodgers await Seager’s return from a right hand fracture.
“He’s invaluable,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said of Taylor. “Having your regular players out, and for him to step up, play a premium defensive position and have a huge day offensively, we needed every bit of it.
“That’s why I just think so highly of the person and the player. Led us to a series win.”
Taylor joined by Hernandez
After years as Dodgers teammates and parallels being drawn between the two, Taylor was joined in earning MLB honors by Kiké Hernandez getting named the American League Player of the Week. Hernandez batted .400/.448/1.000 with three home runs.
Ruiz honored
In the Minor League level, Dodgers prospect Keibert Ruiz was named Triple-A West Player of the Week for the same period as Taylor and Hernandez. Ruiz went 12-for-27 (.444) with four doubles, four home runs and 10 RBI in six games.
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