It was just about a month and a half ago that many Dodgers fans were left wondering why the Dodgers wouldn’t trade up prospect Corey Seager in an attempt to grab a strong third or fourth pitcher for the rotation, or to strengthen one of the weakest bullpens in the major leagues. On September 3rd, those Dodgers fans got their explanation.
Just over a week after the Los Angeles Dodgers made the call up, Corey Seager has lived up to the hype for the Los Angeles Dodgers, and has shown why the Dodgers front office refused to mortgage their future for a better chance at a World Series run in the current season.
Prior to his call up, Seager batted .293, knocked 18 home runs, and 76 RBI’s across double-A and triple-A. Once arriving to Los Angeles, Seager seemed to pick up right where he left off in triple-A Oklahoma City.
As of Sunday, October 13th, just nine games into his MLB career, Seager is batting .467 with 7 RBI’s. Seager has also brought much needed base running production to the Dodgers with two stolen bases. Before anyone could question if his power was only a minor league thing, Seager drilled his first career home run at Chase Field on Saturday night in the Dodgers win over the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The most impressive part for Seager, is that he looks like he has been playing in the majors all of his career. He looks more disciplined at the plate than some of his other young counterparts on the Dodgers like Joc Pederson, and hasn’t had too many problems taking over at shortstop when Jimmy Rollins isn’t in the starting lineup. Rollins, who has been taking some time out of the starting lineup due to a hand injury, is set to return well before the post season begins.
If Seager keeps it up, and assuming he makes the post season roster, Don Mattingly will have another juggling act at his hands come post season time. Rollins, though just as good as ever on defense, is only batting .220 this year, with 13 home runs and 41 RBI’s, a much more meager representation of his younger days with the Philadelphia Phillies.
Mattingly will have to decide if he wants veteran leadership and defense in the infield, or if he wants a hot young bat at the plate. Regardless, it will be a good position for Mattingly to be in, who will need to dedicate most of his effort to managing the struggling Dodgers bullpen.
Main Photo: Mar 4, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Corey Seager against the Chicago White Sox during a spring training baseball game at Camelback Ranch. Photo by Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
