Corey Seager set the Los Angeles Dodgers franchise record for most home runs in a single season by a shortstop by slugging his 20th homer of the season on Monday night. He was previously tied with Hanley Ramirez, who set the mark in 2013.
For good measure, Seager clubbed a second home run against the Philadelphia Phillies. He enters play Tuesday night one shy of tying Glenn Wright, who hit 22 home runs for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1930.
“He’s good, man. I think we all can recognize that,” Chase Utley succinctly said of Seager after what was Utley’s first time facing the Phillies. “He’s a special type of player and he’s going to get better, which is scary.”
Dave Roberts echoed a similar sentiment about the National League Rookie of the Year favorite. “When you don’t think he can do any more, he continues to exceed that. Every time he comes up to bat something special can happen,” Roberts said.
“The thing about Corey also is his defense has been consistent all year long. He’s done so many things for us: big hits, at-bats, homers. Obviously he’s a special player.” One constant seen from Seager since his Major League debut last season is a cool demeanor.
He’s poised beyond his years, which isn’t lost on his teammates. “He’s cool, especially under pressure. He’s calm, cool and collected. You don’t really see that from a 22-year-old,” Utley said.
What has come as a surprise is Seager’s power, though that surprise is quickly fading. Prior to this season the most home run Seager hit a single year was 20 in time with High-A and Double-A. He was generally regarded as a gap-to-gap hitter.
“I’ve never really had this much success with hitting home runs. It’s new for me,” Seager said. He also isn’t ready to put reflect on any record-breaking moments. “It’s cool. I don’t really know what to think of it,” Seager said of hitting the most home runs as a shortstop in Los Angeles history.
“You haven’t really thought about it during the year, you’re worried about winning. There will come a time when you think back on it, but right now it’s all about winning that night.”
