As end-of-the-season MLB awards are beginning to come out, Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager and closer Kenley Jansen were both recognized for their outstanding seasons as they were named to the Sporting News 2016 National League All-Star team.
Jansen and Seager are joined by: Buster Posey (catcher), Freddie Freeman (first base), Daniel Murphy (second base), Kris Bryant (third base), Christian Yelich (outfield), Yoenis Cespedes (outfield), Starling Marte (outfielder) and Max Scherzer (starting pitcher).
Seager, who was previously named NL Rookie of the Year by Sporting News. Over a career-high 157 games, he hit .308/.365/.512 with 40 doubles, 26 home runs, 72 RBIs and 105 runs scored.
Seager spent the majority of this season batting second or third in the Dodgers’ lineup, and set franchise rookie records for total hits (193), doubles, runs scored and total bases (321).
Over 11 postseason games, Seager batted .205/.255/.364 with one double, two home runs, four RBIs, two walks and 13 strikeouts. He is the clear-cut favorite to win the NL Rookie of the Year Award.
Jansen, who is set to hit free agency this winter, had one of his best seasons as a professional in 2016. In 71 appearances, Jansen had 47 saves and a 1.83 ERA while striking out 104 and walking 11 in 68.2 innings. In the process he broke the Dodgers franchise record for most career saves.
Jansen’s 47 saves this season were tied with Mark Melancon and Zach Britton for second-most in the Majors, with the trio falling behind Jeurys Familia.
The 29-year-old Janasen was phenomenal for the Dodgers in the postseason, giving up just five hits and four runs over 11.2 innings while striking out 19. He unselfishly volunteered to pitch multiple innings in each appearance and entered games as early as the sixth and seventh inning.
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said re-signing Jansen will be a priority this offseason. That figures to be easier said than done, as Jansen shouldn’t have any shortage of suitors.
