Los Angeles Dodgers: The positions that should be platooned in 2019

Second base

The first position that the Los Angeles Dodgers should be platooning in 2019 is first base. The two guys that should be in the platoon are Max Muncy and Chris Taylor. Although, it really could be either Taylor or Enrique Hernandez.

Some are probably surprised by the need to platoon at second considering that it appears as if the Dodgers are setting up for a first base platoon with Max Muncy and David Freese. While that might be the popular consensus opinion, it is not the best thing the Dodgers can do.

Defensively, at least in terms of UZR/150 (which measures a players zone rating relative to league average) Muncy and Bellinger are better at second base and first base, respectively, and are above league average. Muncy actually has a worse UZR/150 at first and Bellinger has a worse UZR/150 in the outfield.

So the idea of moving Bellinger to be an everyday outfielder really is not as good as it seems. Keeping Bellinger at first shifts Muncy over to second, where he should platoon with Chris Taylor.

I chose Taylor because Hernandez is a more traditional utility player is better defensively, whereas Chris Taylor is at his best in the middle infield.

If Muncy is still slugging against southpaws than great, the Dodgers can replace Taylor with someone else who could be struggling in the lineup. If not, the team knows that they have the comfort of Taylor potentially becoming an everyday guy if need be.