Chris Taylor “earns” a chance for “Runway” at third base

July 1, 2024

The Los Angeles Dodgers have struggled to perform at third base since Max Muncy suffered an oblique injury and was placed on the injured list on May 17.

Kiké Hernández stepped in as the starting third baseman in Muncy’s absence. The team later brought in Cavan Biggio to add a left-handed hitter to the team. However, neither has performed at the level of a major league player, and the Dodgers would be better off parting ways with both.

However, with no clear alternatives to take her spot on the roster, the Dodgers will instead turn to another option for the hot corner. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he wants to give Chris Taylor a chance as the starting third baseman while Muncy is out, via Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group:

“It wasn’t great,” Roberts said. “Kiké plays damn good at third base (on defense). … The offense was inconsistent. Cavan was on base. I just think the at-bats have to get better. And the defense was OK.”

“Performance should count and opportunities should be created. I’ll give (Taylor) some leeway at third base. He deserves a look. His last few weeks speak for it.”

Since Muncy was placed on the injured list on May 17, Hernández and Biggio have been two of the team’s three worst hitters, along with Austin Barnes.

Hernández has a batting average of .205/.271/.330 in 96 at-bats, which translates to a wRC+ of 74. The overall results have not been better, as he has a batting average of .208/.274/.312 with a wRC+ of 71 this season.

Biggio has a batting average of .188/.278/.188 with a wRC+ of 46 over the same period, and overall his numbers for the season are similar to Hernández’s with a slash line of .197/.313/.268 and a wRC+ of 77.

Despite Roberts’ statement, neither of them played well defensively.

That puts the Dodgers back with Taylor, who has actually been swinging a strong bat lately, although his struggles throughout the season have led to significantly worse overall statistics.

The recent success is not a major accomplishment for Taylor, but he does have a track record unlike the latter two options: he had a solid season just last year and had six great seasons in a row from 2017 to 2021.

Taylor made a change in his playing technique that appears to have led to his success, and Roberts is pleased with what he has seen from the Dodgers’ longtime all-around talent:

“I think I see better hitting opportunities with Chris,” Roberts said. “I think his swing is more balanced and better suited to line drives. He’s not under fastballs as much as he used to be. The swing and misses are reduced. Even with two strikes, I like how he can block the ball in that 4-hole.”

“So for me, he’s getting more opportunities and I’m going to give him more room at third base. That comes from performance and what I’ve seen lately, I like.”

During the same period since Muncy’s absence, Taylor posted a batting average of .260/.315/.460 with a wRC+ of 121, making him the Dodgers’ sixth-best hitter during that span.

In his first game as the Dodgers’ new third baseman, Taylor scored two of the team’s four runs, hitting 2-for-3 with a double and two runs scored.

In his last seven games, Taylor had a batting average of .467/.529/.733 with just one strikeout in 15 at-bats and had a hit in nine consecutive starts.

The Dodgers need to improve their performance at third base for now and also improve their bench after Muncy returns, and Taylor seems to be the solution to those problems.