Los Angeles Dodgers fans have come to expect a lot out of shortstop Corey Seager after he won a unanimous National League Rookie of the Year award in 2016 and followed it up with another All-Star campaign in 2017.
Seager missed almost all of the 2018 season after undergoing Tommy John and hip surgeries though, and since he has returned, he hasn’t looked quite like his usual self.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts had Seager in his usual No. 2 spot in the batting lineup to begin the season. With him struggling a bit though, Roberts has moved him down to fifth and sixth the last couple of weeks, and Seager has begun showing signs of improvement.
Seager commented on being moved out of the top of the lineup and said that he feels it takes a ton pressure off himself, as seen on SportsNet LA:
“Kinda of getting down a little bit lower and getting out of some of those maybe pressure ABs. It’s something that sometimes you like the pressure, sometimes it helps, but sometimes it doesn’t. Right now it has been nice to just kind of be down there and kind of find yourself and find your swing and get comfortable again.”
He also went on to add that with each game he plays, he feels he is getting closer to returning to his pre-surgery form:
“I’m getting closer. Every rep, every game, every at-bat you get a little closer. It was a long time and I didn’t realize it was going to be as hard as it was and it has been a little bit of a grind so far.”
In 48 games so far this season, Seager is hitting .231/.320/.367, which are significantly below his career numbers. He has four home runs, 20 RBI and 28 runs scored.
He has slashed .250/.327/.438 with two home runs and 10 RBI in his last 13 games though, so while only slightly, he is beginning to show signs of improvement.
The Dodgers’ offense has been among the best in baseball this season and that is without Seager performing at the level he is capable of. If he can continue to get going then as crazy as it sounds, the offense can reach even another level.
