Chris Taylor got off to a miserable start at the plate this season, but lately has been swinging a hot bat and is being rewarded with more opportunities at third base while Max Muncy remains out.
Over 14 games (nine starts) during the month of June, Taylor hit .278/.333/.528 with one double, one triple, two home runs and four RBI.
He was a bright spot in the Dodgers’ loss to the San Francisco Giants on Sunday, going 2-for-3 with a double, home run and two RBI. Taylor also had a hit in the series opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Taylor said he is starting to feel more like himself and has been pleased with his recent at-bats, via Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group:
“I feel like my mechanics are in a spot where I can have the approach that I’ve wanted to have for the past couple years,” Taylor said. “I’ve always thought about hitting the ball to right-center. That kind of puts me on everything. Before the last couple weeks when I was thinking that, I was underneath and missing. Now I’m in a spot where I feel I can go back to that approach and feel like myself.
“It’s been a process. For me, it’s been more about the quality of the at-bats and moving the ball forward. That’s been encouraging – not just today but the last few weeks.”
Taylor’s resurgence has been a pleasant surprise with Muncy still working his way back from a right oblique strain, giving the Dodgers a decent stopgap option at third base until he returns.
The team initially attempted to fill the void by giving starts to Kiké Hernández and Cavan Biggio, but both players have struggled mightily, casting some doubt on their future with the team.
When Muncy rejoins the Dodgers, Taylor will likely shift back to a utility role, which in turn should give a boost to the bench.
Dave Roberts: ‘Pretty easy’ to bet on Chris Taylor
Taylor’s previous struggles had some fans calling for his removal from the Dodgers roster, but manager Dave Roberts stuck with the 11-year veteran. “I think I’m a big advocate on the game honors you,” Roberts recently said.
“And C.T. even today, he was out here early hitting velocity and grinding. He’s a great teammate, he’s always on the bench, watching the games, ready when called upon. And obviously, with what he’s done for us and me throughout my tenure as a Dodger, he’s come up huge.
“He’s always prepared. So I think for me betting on the person is something a lot of times it’s pretty easy.”
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