How the Los Angeles Dodgers lineup should look in 2018
By Jason Reed
1. Chris Taylor — CF
The Dodgers are starting things off with a new dynamic in the lead-off position. A year ago today, Chris Taylor had the ceiling of a utility player and pinch runner off of the bench. Now, Taylor is the best suited to bat leadoff on the deepest lineup in the MLB. The new dynamic? Speed; something the Dodgers have had very little of in recent memory.
Taylor led the Dodgers in stolen bases last season, swiping 17 bags in 140 games. This is the most since Dee Gordon swiped 64 bags in 2014; when he left, so did the Dodgers’ ability to steal bases.
Regardless, Taylor is a great option to get on base atop the lineup. Taylor knows exactly when to attack a pitcher early, evident by his home run off of Dallas Keuchel in game one of the World Series. However, he also shows patience at the plate, evident from his two-out walk in the sixth inning of the same game that led to a Justin Turner home run.
Thus, Taylor gives the Dodgers immense flexibility no matter what the Dodgers ask of him. His bat has some pop in it, evident from his 21 home runs. This does not stop him from getting on base though, as his .354 on-base percentage was the third best on the team.
Taylor is an interesting option to bat leadoff for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2018 but there is no doubt that he is the right option.