When Corey Seager underwent Tommy John surgery last season, the Los Angeles Dodgers projected he would make a full recovery in time for the start of Spring Training this year. Seager later had arthroscopic hip surgery, but his timeline remained unchanged.
Although he was technically active as the Dodgers opened camp at Camelback Ranch, Seager was eased into on-field workouts and taking live swings. He didn’t appear in a Cactus League game until March 20, though it was a rousing success.
After nearly hitting a home run off Cole Hamels in his first at-bat, Seager got enough of the left-hander in his second trip to the plate. The two-time Silver Slugger was in the Opening Day lineup and contributed to the Dodgers setting an MLB record with eight home runs.
The 2019 season since that point has largely been a mixed bag of results, but Seager has found a rhythm of late. The Dodgers’ shortstop attributed that to more comfort and opportunities to knock off the rust, via SportsNet LA:
“I’m feeling better at the plate, for sure. … It was kind of hit or miss in the beginning. Just kind of got comfortable and was able to repeat it and keep repeating it and not kind of lose it. It’s just kind of reps.”
Seager was responsible for one of three home runs the Dodgers hit off Jake Arrieta, and part of four overall in their win against the Philadelphia Phillies. The three homers Arrieta surrendered — with Max Muncy and Joc Pederson joining in — tied a career high for most in a single game.
Meanwhile, Seager’s blast added to what’s been an impressive stretch. Since May 11, when he was batting a pedestrian .225 after an 0-for-3 effort, the 2016 National League Rookie of the Year is hitting .305 with four doubles, five home runs and 17 RBI in his past 16 games.
That the 25-year-old is finding his swing with more plate appearances is nothing short of expected. Beyond conventional wisdom suggesting that would be the case, Seager notoriously is someone who relies heavily on feel at the plate.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts recently pointed to that factor, noting Seager was beginning to hone his mechanics and was likely due to begin meeting expectations. Roberts aided Seager’s effort by dropping him in the lineup to help alleviate pressure on the Dodgers’ young star.
