In recent memory, few Los Angeles Dodgers have started their rookie year with as much anticipation as Corey Seager. In February he was touted as the top overall prospect by four major publications — Baseball America, Baseball Prospectus, ESPN and MLB.com.
Seager entered the 2016 season considered the frontrunner for Rookie of the Year honors in the National League. When he was called up to the Majors last September, he responded by hitting an outstanding .337/.425/.561 in 27 games, adding more fuel to the excitement and anticipation of his first full season.
Prior to joining the Dodgers, Seager hit a combined .293 with 37 doubles and 18 home runs in time with Double-A Tulsa and Triple-A Oklahoma City. He became just the second player in Oklahoma City franchise history to collect six hits in one game.
What’s more, Seager made the mid-season Pacific Coast League All-Star team and was later named the Triple-A Player of the Year by Baseball America. The success isn’t a complete surprise, as Seager comes from a prominent baseball family that hails from Kannapolis, North Carolina.
His eldest brother Kyle is an elite third baseman with the Seattle Mariners who has already been an All-Star and a Gold Glove winner in his young Major League career.
Middle brother Justin plays for Seattle’s Double-A farm team in Tennessee. Corey is the baby, but at 6’4” and 215 pounds, he is the biggest of the three. He was selected 18th overall by the Dodgers in the 2012 draft.
In addition to his offensive prowess, Seager plays shortstop, which is a high-profile position, and one the Dodgers have had little stability at the past decade. Naturally, Seager is being counted on to fill the void for the next decade.
CONTINUE READING: Pressure placed on Seager’s shoulders
With all the accolades and achievements, it’s understandable that Dodger fans are excited over Seager what brings to the team. The Dodgers roster has its share of veterans, some of who are oft-injured, and in a sports town that covets showmanship as well as winning, Seager might just fit the bill.
But will he? If so, how long will it take him to get to that level? Doing well in the Minors is certainly a good start, but does not guarantee success at the next level. Nor can one draw concrete conclusions from Seager’s short but highly successful stint in the Majors at the end of last season.
As Yasiel Puig can tell you, what’s important is how he reacts to Major League pitchers after they’ve seen him multiple times and begin to adjust. With that in mind, Seager got off to a slower-than-expected start this season — particularly defensively.
Part of the reason could have been the knee sprain he suffered in March, which caused him to miss a sizable chunk of Spring Training. Seager has already committed three errors at shortstop after five last season.
He’s started 19 of 21 games played, batting .247/.301/.400 with five doubles, one triple and 12 RBIs. Seager has appeared in all but one of the Dodgers’ games this season entering Thursday, and twice came off the bench with an opposing left-hander on the mound.
Whatever stumbles he may encounter this season, the shortstop position undeniably belongs to Seager. Despite the pressure he faces, Seager stands to benefit from the calm influence of playing alongside veterans Adrian Gonzales, Howie Kendrick, Justin Turner and A.J. Ellis.
Come the second half and presumably postseason games, however, the Dodgers will rely on Seager and other youngsters, Kiké Hernandez and Joc Pederson to contribute. Seager represents the Dodgers’ vision of competing now for a World Series and in years ahead.
And if there’s a player who has the skill set, personality and demeanor to withstand the pressure, it’s the Dodgers’ 22-year-old shortstop.