Dodgers: Chris Taylor ‘Humbled’ by All-Star Consideration
The 2021 All-Star Game is just around the corner. Five Dodgers have advanced to the final round of fan voting, including Chris Taylor. Taylor is vying for the first All-Star Game appearance of his career. Taylor credited his strong 2020 for shaping his monster 2021.
“Last year, even though it was a shortened season, was my most consistent year. I felt like I minimized the slumps and stayed pretty steady throughout the season and I feel like I’ve continued that into this season as well.”
In 2020, Taylor finished with the second lowest strikeout rate (25.7%) and highest walk rate (12.1%) for a full season in his career. He slashed .270/.366/.476 and posted a weighted runs created plus (wRC+) of 132.
This season, Taylor has carried the Dodgers at times offensively when superstars have been sidelined with injuries. Through Monday, he’s ninth in runs (55) and is top 30 in position player WAR (2.2). He also has the best wRC+ of his career (137).
Taylor Humbled by Chance at All-Star Game
The Dodgers utility man also took the time to mention that it’s not just his performance that made him an All-Star Game finalist.
“It’s a huge honor. I know I wouldn’t be in this situation if it weren’t for all the support I have from Dodger fans.”
Taylor also didn’t downplay the gravity of making his first ever All-Star team.
“It means a lot. Just to be in the same conversation with some of the other players, some of those superstar guys…it means a lot to me and I’m humbled.”
Indeed, the finalist group is quite the collection of talent. There are former league MVPs (Mookie Betts and Bryce Harper) and future league MVPs (Ronald Acuna Jr. and Juan Soto). Plus, a former teammate (Joc Pederson). Cincinnati’s Jesse Winker and Nick Castellanos have also impressed this season.
Taylor has long been overlooked despite producing on a perennial contender.
He’s done the work, now might be the time for the reward.
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And it just may be time for Dodgers to give him a contract extension BEFORE he hits FA. I’m sure CT3 wants to remain a Dodger since they were the team to have given him this opportunity.
Amen to that, Paul.
Absolutely agree with Paul, too.
If anyone on the team deserves to be an All-Star it’s Taylor. Then Bauer, Kershaw, Turner, Urias, Jansen (not in that particular order). Bellinger? Why? past performance? Seager? He can’t play yet!
But Taylor! We really couldn’t have done what we have in the last few years without his ability to fill in when a starter was hurt or needed rest.