While the Los Angeles Dodgers had six representatives at the 2017 MLB All-Star Game, the club arguably boasts the deepest team in the league with quality depth assembled over the years by the front office.
The roster is loaded with talent from the top to bottom, and it has shown in the standings. Los Angeles own baseball’s best record at 61-29 and leads the Majors with a plus-163 run differential.
Shrewd trades and low-risk signings have paid dividends thus far, with the Dodgers in prime position for their fifth consecutive National League West division title.
Let’s look back at the bench and identify its key performers from the first half.
Disappointments
Franklin Gutierrez: Originally signed by the Dodgers as an amateur free agent in 2000, Gutierrez found his way back to the organization during the offseason after stints with the Cleveland Indians and Seattle Mariners.
Gutierrez was expected to platoon in left field with Andre Ethier, though the former has struggled to stay on the field while the latter has yet to appear in a game this season.
In just 35 games and 63 plate appearances during the first half, Gutierrez batted .232/.317/.339 with a total of four extra-base hits (three doubles, one home run).
The 2010 Gold Glove Award winner didn’t fare much better against southpaws either, as shown by his .195/.298/.341 slash line in 41 plate appearances. For comparison, Gutierrez is hitting .333/.375/.333 against right-handers in 15 trips to the plate.
Gutierrez is currently on the 10-day disabled list with an episode of ankylosis spondylitis — a condition he’s consistently battled with over recent years.
Scott Van Slyke: Now in his sixth season with the Dodgers, Van Slyke struggled out of the gate to make an impact with his bat.
In 48 plate appearances (29 games), he hit a weak .122/.250/.293 with a double and two home runs. With the platoon advantage, Van Slyke is batting just .138 against left-handed pitchers in 34 trips to the plate.
Van Slyke’s ineffectiveness is costing him time on the Major League roster. The 30-year-old has appeared in 40 games for Triple-A Oklahoma City this season — the most he’s played at that level since 2013.
Standouts
Austin Barnes: When the Dodgers traded veteran catcher Carlos Ruiz last November, it helped pave the way for Barnes’ inclusion on the 25-man roster.
In 126 plate appearances during the first half, the Riverside, Calif., native batted .283/.397/.538 with 15 extra-base hits and 24 walks.
In addition to his primary backup catcher role, Barnes has also seen time at second and third base this season, enabling himself with extra opportunities in the early going.
Kiké Hernandez: Though his slash line on the year is roughly league average (.215/.308/.452; 98 OPS+), Hernandez’s offensive production has largely come in a platoon role.
Against southpaws, he is batting .250/.344/.607 with seven doubles and seven home runs in 96 plate appearances. For his career against lefties, Hernandez owns a .264/.357/.513 line.
On the year, Hernandez has tallied more extra-base hits (27) than singles (13) — and he’s already surpassed career highs in doubles (18) and home runs (eight).
In addition to his extra-base power, Hernandez has appeared at seven different positions this season — a luxury in today’s ever-changing game.
MVP
Chris Taylor: It’s been a breakout season for Taylor, who’s posted career highs in nearly every offensive category.
In 277 plate appearances over 72 games (61 starts), the 26-year-old hit .285/.365/.480 with 18 doubles and 10 home runs while stealing 11 bases to boot. All in all, Taylor’s totaled 2.5 WAR (Baseball-Reference) and is one of the more valuable utility players in the league.
What’s more, Taylor has displayed his defensive versatility on the field, expanding his range to left and center field, as well as all over the infield. Taylor’s ability to play five different positions earned him extra playing time during the first half, and that should be the case going forward, too.
