Previewing Seattle Mariners September Call-Ups: The Hitters
Jul 26, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners shortstop Chris Taylor (1) tags out Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter
Edwin Encarnacion(10) on a stolen base attempt during the third inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Taylor’s had a rough year, spending some time in the big leagues but absolutely not making the most of it. He’s got a .170/.220/.223 slash in 102 big league plate appearances on the year and has been in Tacoma since July 31st, when the team decided to roll with Ketel Marte instead.
But last year Taylor hit .287/.347/.346, and hope remains that he could become a useful big league piece. He already is, really, just on account of his defense alone. He’s an outstanding shortstop, and that could temp the Mariners to try and do with Taylor what they’ve done with Marte and Brad Miller – let him play some outfield. It stands to reason the glove could play there. The Mariners are building an army of slap-hitting Ben Zobrists out of all their former shortstop prospects. Makes sense to add Taylor to the heap.
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