For the first time in two years, Los Angeles Dodgers utilityman Chris Taylor was excluded from MLB Network’s The Shredder rankings for the second base position.
Ranked eighth for 2021 and 10th in 2022, it’s understandable why Taylor didn’t crack the Top-10 Second Basemen Right Now for 2023, as he had a subpar year overall.
Derailed by injuries, including more neck trouble and a fractured foot, Taylor struggled to find his usual production in the batter’s box.
He finished the season batting .221/.304/.373 with 25 doubles, 10 home runs and 43 RBI across 118 games last season. Additionally, Taylor was silent in the postseason, going 0-for-7 with five strikeouts against the San Diego Padres in the National League Division Series.
As for The Shredder rankings of best second basemen for the 2023 season, José Altuve earned the top spot for the fifth time in his career.
Following Altuve was 2022 National League batting champion Jeff McNeil of the New York Mets. Perhaps one of the best young-budding stars of the American League, Andrés Giménez of the Cleveland Guardians, who posted an impressive 7.4 WAR last season, was ranked third.
Following Giménez were Texas Rangers’ Marcus Semien (fourth), Tampa Bay Rays Brandon Lowe (fifth), Minnesota Twins Jorge Polanco (sixth), St. Louis Cardinals’ rookie Brendan Donovan (seventh), Arizona Diamondbacks’ Ketel Marte (eighth), Seattle Mariners Kolten Wong (ninth), and Gleyber Torres of the New York Yankees rounding out the list at 10th.
Although it’s still to be determined where Taylor primarily play this season, it’s anticipated that he will spend the bulk of his time in the outfield.
While Taylor surely enters 2023 with redemption to be found, the Dodgers have clearly bought in on the player they know he can be when healthy and right at the plate.
If there was any need for evidence that Taylor himself knows he has something to prove, he’s already seen progress on his swing.
Seemingly primed for a full season of play at full strength, it’s easy to argue that Taylor’s success can be a difference-maker for the Dodgers.
Top-10 second basemen Right Now for 2023
| Rank | The Shredder | Mike Petriello | Sarah Langs | Vince Gennaro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | José Altuve (Astros) | José Altuve (Astros) | José Altuve (Astros) | José Altuve (Astros) |
| 2 | Jeff McNeil (Mets) | Andrés Giménez (Guardians) | Andrés Giménez (Guardians) | Jeff McNeil (Mets) |
| 3 | Andrés Giménez (Guardians) | Marcus Semien (Rangers) | Jeff McNeil (Mets) | Andrés Giménez (Guardians) |
| 4 | Marcus Semien (Rangers) | Jeff McNeil (Mets) | Jazz Chisholm Jr. (Marlins) | Jazz Chisholm Jr. (Marlins) |
| 5 | Brandon Lowe (Rays) | Jazz Chisholm Jr. (Marlins) | Marcus Semien (Rangers) | Brendan Donovan (Cardinals) |
| 6 | Jorge Polanco (Twins) | Gleyber Torres (Yankees) | Ozzie Albies (Braves) | Jorge Polanco (Twins) |
| 7 | Brendan Donovan (Cardinals) | Brandon Lowe (Rays) | Kolten Wong (Mariners) | Marcus Semien (Rangers) |
| 8 | Ketel Marte (Diamondbacks) | Ozzie Albies (Braves) | Brendan Donovan (Cardinals) | Ozzie Albies (Braves) |
| 9 | Kolten Wong (Mariners) | Nico Hoerner (Cubs) | Nico Hoerner (Cubs) | Nico Hoerner (Cubs) |
| 10 | Gleyber Torres (Yankees) | Kolten Wong (Mariners) | Ketel Marte (Diamondbacks) | Luis Guillorme (Mets) |
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