For years Los Angeles Dodgers fans heard the names Corey Seager and Cody Bellinger on top prospect lists and in some trade talks that involved the league’s best players at the time. Ultimately, the Dodgers front office decided to hold onto both of their young players, and now are reaping the benefits.
Bellinger and Seager were among the six Dodgers named to the All-Star Game this year. Despite the team’s recent skid, the young duo has been integral to the Dodgers storming out to the best record in baseball.
Beyond how well Bellinger and Seager perform on the field, they’re often heralded as being similar in the sense of their demeanor and work ethic.
In a recent interview with David Vassegh of AM 570 L.A. Sports Radio, Dodgers veteran second baseman Chase Utley compared the two young stars’ personalities:
“They have similar personalities. They know they’re good players but they keep to themselves. They’re humble, which again in my opinion is an important factor to being successful, and they also realize that they can improve. It’s scary because both of them, as you know, are really good players, but there’s definitely room for progress with both of them.”
This season is Utley’s first as a teammate of Bellinger, while he’s served as a mentor and lockermate to Seager since the young shortstop made his MLB debut in September 2015.
Bellinger is poised to follow in Seager’s footsteps by wining the National League Rookie of the Year Award. If not for being limited and time spent on the disabled list due to a sprained ankle, it’s plausible the young first baseman could have factored into the MVP race as well.
That a player of Utley’s caliber and tenure speaks fondly of Bellinger and Seager is noteworthy and further cements the Dodgers’ franchise is in good hands with the duo at the core.
