I’m not thinking about the whole year,” Taylor said. In his first at-bat Sunday against the Angels, Taylor hit a solo home run against Tucker Davidson, a left-handed pitcher. We’ve got other opportunities and guys I want to play, so it’s a combo.” “In this case he’s going to have to do a little of both. “You can argue both sides,” Roberts said. To get back on track, does he need to play regularly, or can behind-the-scenes practice do the trick? Taylor made his first career All-Star team last year but faded badly in the second half. 214 (3 for 14) with seven strikeouts in the World Baseball Classic. 103 (3 for 29) with 10 strikeouts in Cactus League play. Taylor’s best opportunity, then, could come as a platoon partner in left field with the left-handed hitting Peralta ― a position Thompson would like to hold down too. Outman is poised to start in center field after an impressive spring training. Trayce Thompson, James Outman and David Peralta effectively comprise three outfielders to play left field and center field, with Mookie Betts holding down the right field on most nights. He’s in line to get at-bats at third base, shortstop and second base, Roberts said, but is blocked by a starter at each of those positions. The question for Taylor, soon, is when he’ll get that work in during regular season games. I think he’s seeing the ball much better. The last couple days for me he’s had better intent. ![]() “(Taylor) was really searching, out of whack. “I’ve been more encouraged the last couple days, to be honest,” Roberts said. In 48 Cactus League plate appearances, Taylor had six hits and 23 strikeouts ― a. That was in response to a follow-up question about Taylor’s quest for playing time on an Opening Day roster that includes five other right-handed hitters who mostly outperformed Taylor at the plate in spring training.
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