Dodgers News: Corey Seager Learned From First Season In Cal League
With their 18th pick in the 2012 draft, the Los Angeles Dodgers selected shortstop Corey Seager. Standing at 6’4, Seager presents intriguing size with a big swing from one of baseball’s more prestigious positions.
Seager began his career by putting up impressive statistics for the Low-A Great Lakes Loons. After that, Seager was promoted to High-A with the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes where he hit a bump in the road. The left-handed hitting shortstop posted a .160 batting average in 27 games.
Seager then turned it around and has had an impressive start to this season. He was second in batting average and slugging percentage and had a league-high 24 doubles with a .344 batting average in the first half of the season.
The shortstop attributed his newfound success to being able to experience life in the California League last season, according to Michelle Gardner of the Daily Breeze:
It gave me an idea what to expect this year because I was pretty sure I was at least going to start the year (in the California League). I have felt pretty good this year, like I have been seeing the ball well.”
Seager is considered one of the more highly touted prospects in the Dodgers’ organization, next to Joc Pederson, and he’s been putting together an effort that warrants a promotion to Double-A Chattanooga.
While Seager’s play has come with the expectation that he’ll move on from the Quakes, it isn’t something he’s focused on:
It’s out of my control. I am just trying to do the best job I can and get better every day, wherever I’m at.”
Seager also has two brothers who are currently in Major League organizations. The oldest, Kyle, is in his fourth year with the Seattle Mariners. The middle brother, Justin, is with the Mariners’ Low-A team.
Despite his strong play, some speculation has risen Seager may not be the Dodgers’ future shortstop. The Dodgers organization is talking with Hanley Ramirez about a possible contract extension and Seager may be looked at as a possible third baseman because of his size.
When asked about what position Seager projects at, Dodgers vice president of player development De Jon Watson stated it’s at shortstop:
He’s a shortstop. We haven’t seen anything that tells us he shouldn’t play there. Obviously he isn’t quite there yet, but he might not be as far away as people might think.”
With some fine-tuning, the Dodgers believe Seager has the complete skill-set and can be a valuable asset for the future of the Dodgers. Given the young middle infielders the Dodgers have recently signed, Seager’s rise to the big league level may come with position battles.
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Dodgers Nation Interview: Corey Seager Talks Hitting And Goals For This Season
