Seager-Bellinger Super Util Clears Spaces, FA’s Big Hit Dream ‘Lucky Ball’
Los Angeles Dodgers’ “Super Util” Chris Taylor, 31, is dreaming of a big FA hit.
Taylor started as the first batter shortstop in a home game against the Colorado Rockies on the 26th (Korea time) and played three hits and two RBIs in four at-bats, including his 15th and 16th multi-homer of the season, leading the Dodgers to a 3-2 victory.
So far, Taylor has batted .284 with 16 homers, 55 RBIs, and 9 stolen bases in 96 games of the season. Arithmetically, he is capable of more than 21 home runs in 2017 and up to 26 home runs per individual. OPS is also reaching its highest level since 2017 (850).
Not only is it hitting, but it is also valuable in defense. Major shortstop Corey Seager has been out of the game for a long time due to a fractured right hand in May, and center fielder Cody Bellinger is also taking a break due to a large and small injury, while Taylor crosses the field to fill the vacancy. Without Taylor, the Dodgers would not have been able to continue their competition to win the championship in the second place in the western division of the National League.
“Taylor is very useful,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said after the game. Without the main players, he plays a special role in defense. He is also playing a tremendous role in offense. We do everything we need. I have no choice but to admire him.” “I always try to do my best,” Taylor said. “It doesn’t matter what position it is in the lineup.”
Taylor, who made his big league debut with the Seattle Mariners in 2014, was traded to pitcher Jack Lee in June 2016 and wore a Dodgers uniform. In Seattle, his presence was minimal with a batting average of 24 percent and 10 RBIs in 86 games in three seasons. Dodgers also brought Lee, a promising player who did not grow as much as expected.
However, he became a completely different player after moving to the Dodgers. In 2017, he made a surprise appearance with a batting average of .288 with 21 homers, 72 RBIs and 17 steals, and emerged as a lucky pitcher for the Dodgers. He supported the team with a utility that covers six positions both inside and outside, except for catchers and first baseman. This year, he covered six positions in the order of center fielder (43 games, 283 innings in 44 games, shortstop (116 innings in 18 games), left fielder (1058 innings in 10 games), third baseman (2 games, 16 innings in 1 game) and right fielder (7 innings in 1 game).
Taylor, who signed a two-year contract with the Dodgers in February last year for a total of $13.4 million, will be qualified as an FA after the season ends. He spent his first All-Star season in his debut, raising expectations for a big FA hit.