Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Chris Taylor has been one of the most underrated players in baseball the last few years, and he received some well-deserved recognition as a top 10 second baseman going into the 2021 season by MLB Network’s The Shredder.
While it remains to be seen if Taylor will even play second base for the Dodgers in 2021, he came in at No. 8 on the list ahead of Jose Altuve and Ozzie Albies. At the top of the rankings was DJ LeMahieu, followed by Jeff McNeil, Ketel Marte, Brandon Lowe, Cavan Biggio, Jake Cronenworth and Donovan Solano.
MLB Network analyst Vince Gennaro was the only member from the sabermetrics panel to include Taylor on his list, coming in at No. 8 as well. Sarah Langs had former Dodgers utilityman Kiké Hernandez at No. 5 on her list.
Taylor is coming off another strong season with the Dodgers in which he batted .270/.366/.476 with eight home runs and 32 RBI in 56 games.
Due to the nature of a shortened 2020 season, The Shredder focused on a three-year sample using Statcast metrics as well as WRC+ and WAR, so Taylor’s 2018 and 2019 campaigns were factored in as well.
In previous years, Taylor has ranked in The Shredder’s top 10 at both center field and second base. His versatility was on display once again in 2020 when he made 10 or more starts at second base, shortstop and left field, posting a positive defensive runs saved at all three positions.
As it currently stands, Taylor will likely split time with Gavin Lux and potentially Max Muncy at second base in 2020. Given his versatility, there is no doubt he will move all around the diamond once again.
That should make for some quality production up the middle along with Corey Seager. Taylor and Seager tied for 14th in the National League along with Brandon Belt in WAR in 2020.
The 2021 season marks Taylor’s final year of club control before reaching free agency, so he will have some added motivation to perform well in a contract year.
MLB Top 10 second basemen right now for 2021
| Rank | The Shredder | Mike Petriello | Sarah Langs | Vince Gennaro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | DJ LeMahieu (Yankees) | DJ LeMahieu (Yankees) | DJ LeMahieu (Yankees) | DJ LeMahieu (Yankees) |
| 2 | Jeff McNeil (Mets) | Brandon Lowe (Rays) | Brandon Lowe (Rays) | Ketel Marte (Diamondbacks) |
| 3 | Ketel Marte (Diamondbacks) | Jeff McNeil (Mets) | Jake Cronenworth (Padres) | Ozzie Albies (Braves) |
| 4 | Brandon Lowe (Rays) | Jose Altuve (Astros) | Jeff McNeil (Mets) | Cavan Biggio (Blue Jays) |
| 5 | Cavan Biggio (Blue Jays) | Ozzie Albies (Braves) | Kiké Hernandez (Red Sox) | Jeff McNeil (Mets) |
| 6 | Jake Cronenworth (Padres) | Cavan Biggio (Blue Jays) | Mike Moustakas (Reds) | Brandon Lowe (Rays) |
| 7 | Donovan Solano (Giants) | Ketel Marte (Diamondbacks) | Jose Altuve (Astros) | Kolten Wong (free agent) |
| 8 | Chris Taylor (Dodgers) | Luis Arráez (Twins) | Ketel Marte (Diamondbacks) | Chris Taylor (Dodgers) |
| 9 | Jose Altuve (Astros) | Tommy La Stella (Giants) | Ozzie Albies (Braves) | Jose Altuve (Astros) |
| 10 | Ozzie Albies (Braves) | David Fletcher (Angels) | Cavan Biggio (Blue Jays) | Luis Arráez (Twins) |
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