In January the Los Angeles Dodgers traded Tyler Olson and Ronald Torreyes to the New York Yankees in exchange for Rob Segedin. He was selected by the Yankees in the third round of the 2010 Draft, though never managed to advance beyond Triple-A.
Segedin even faced a disappointing turn of events midway through the 2015 season when he was demoted from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to Double-A Trenton. That prompted the utility man to consider retirement, Segedin later revealed.
The decision to continue playing paid off as joining the Dodgers led to plenty of success. After a solid showing in Spring Training, Segedin was assigned to Triple-A Oklahoma City.
He batted .319/.392/.598 with 23 doubles, nine triples, 21 home runs and 69 RBI over 103 games, and earned a promotion to the Majors on Aug. 7.
Segedin started the early evening game against the Boston Red Sox and with his pregnant wife in attendance at Dodger Stadium, had a spectacular MLB debut. He went 2-for-3 with a double and four RBI in an 8-5 victory.
Aside from a brief stay on the paternity list in late August, Segedin remained on the Dodgers’ active roster for the remainder of the season. He went on to bat .233/.301/.370 with two doubles, one triple, two home runs and 12 RBI in 40 games.
Segedin showed some versatility in the field, starting for the Dodgers at first base, third base, left field and right field.
With his time in Oklahoma City not to be forgotten, Segedin was a midseason All-Star and named to the 2016 All-Pacific Coast League team.
2016 Highlight
Not only did Segedin have a team-high four RBI against the Red Sox, he set the Dodgers franchise record for most RBI in an MLB debut.
Another memorable moment came Aug. 24 when Segedin started in right field against Madison Bumgarner and the San Francisco Giants one night after hitting his first career home run.
He lined a leadoff homer into the left-field pavilion in the second inning, extending the Dodgers’ lead to 2-0. Later that evening Segedin was removed from the game as part of a double switch and raced to the hospital to be by his wife’s side as the couple welcomed their first child.
2017 Outlook
While credit must be given to Segedin for making an impact with the Dodgers, fact of the matter is the opportunity was presented in large part due to injuries. Assuming players make a full recovery by the start of next season, Segedin is likely to begin the year with Oklahoma City.
