On Wednesday, Corey Seager became the sixth player in National League history since 1920 with at least 200 hits, 100 runs scored, 100 RBI, 50 doubles and 30 home runs within the first 200 career games. As a 21 year old last season, Seager helped carry the Los Angeles Dodgers offense and was the unanimous selection for 2016 NL Rookie of the Year.
Now 22, Seager has more than lived up to the billing thus far in his young career. Selected by the Dodgers 18th overall in the 2012 Draft, Seager quickly became one of baseball’s top prospects.
He entered last season as the consensus No. 1 prospect. For as much attention Seager garnered and expectations he faced, Adrian Gonzalez issued some caution but in the same breath said Seager has Hall-of-Fame potential.
The veteran first baseman spoke from experience. Gonzalez was the No. 1 overall draft pick by the then-Florida Marlins in 2000. While he’s enjoyed a successful career, Gonzalez has seen several top picks stumble.
During a recent interview with Derrin Horton that aired on KTLA5, Gonzalez again heaped praise on his young teammate. “He’s going to be one of the top-five players in the game year in and year out,” Gonzalez said of Seager.
“When you have that potential and that ability, he’s humble, keeps his feet on the ground, goes about his business and does it the right way. Those are the guys that usually are able to continue and stay on top of their game.”
Talented as he is, Seager’s work ethic and demeanor are what teammates, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, and front office and team personnel have marveled at and raved about. While Seager has often spoke of learning from Chase Utley, the veteran said he’s equally learned from his understudy.
Seager is one of multiple prospects the Dodgers refused to include in trade talks over recent years, and only two full seasons into his career, that’s proven to have been a prudent decision.
