2018 Dodgers Player Reviews: Corey Seager
Corey Seager’s 2018 consisted of just 26 games played. Still, we were able to enjoy this tremendous, steady, wonderful ballplayer on those 26 occasions. And better yet, he will be back. The Dodgers have announced they expect his full return in time for 2019 Spring Training.
Let’s look back at Seager’s injury shortened 2018 campaign.
Season Ending Injury
Obviously, the biggest storyline when discussing Seager’s 2018 season is the season-ending injury he sustained in late-April. Seager had Tommy-John surgery not long thereafter, and we sent him some well-wishes. His stats he tallied for the Dodgers in his age-24 season tell a sad tale.
Seager – a career .302 hitter – hit .267 with two home runs and 13 RBI. He had a .744 OPS, both showing he had neither time or health on his side. With a full season under his belt, these numbers were sure to be more near his career norms. In fact, there is hardly a more consistent offensive player for Los Angeles or in the entire league.
Hip Surgery
With Seager already on the shelf, he opted for a second surgery in August to clean up his hip. Seager was asked at that time about any concern playing shortstop going forward. His reply was as steady as the play we have come to know.
“Nope, not at all. It really hasn’t been a thought,” he said last week. “I’m planning to stay at short. All [the injuries] would have happened in other positions. I don’t think it made a huge difference.”
And so, although Manny Machado would assume the temporary reigns of the position; it figures to be Seager who leads the Dodgers into the next decade at the position. This on a surgically repaired hip and with a new ligament in his arm. If you have watched Corey Seager play – he is not a player to bet against by any stretch.
Outlook Moving Forward
Seager is as steady as the day is long. The player with the slowest heartbeat – he has posted back-to-back near 5 bWAR seasons in his two full seasons as a pro. Obviously, there is concern with injury. His health chart reads so far like that of a Tolstoy novel – but there is no reason to think that any of these injuries are to have residual effect.
Someday, Seager may see a move to second or third base. In the near-term, he’s your every day shorstop and penciled in at the number two spot in the lineup as Dave Roberts’ most-trusted offensive asset. It is likely that once he resumes playing everyday, he will again do Corey Seager things. Rarely slump, often getting multiple hits, and otherwise doing things that seem superhuman for a man his size at the position.
We are all lucky to have this young man as a cornerstone of the Los Angeles Dodgers. His ascent back to the top will be a mighty one.
Corey Seager Showing Progress From Operations
I wish I was as convinced as others re Seagers health and injury status. I hope he does fully recover and is as solid as ever, however I think we too easily dismiss the potential for recurring problems…sort of sweep them under the carpet. Only time will tell if he’s now 100%. I recall similar utterances by Corey prior to his year ending injury. I’m fine and any uncomfortableness will work itself out as I play, he said. I didn’t necessarily believe that prior to him being sidelined. Frankly I didn’t like the fact that he didn’t have any corrective surgery performed befor the 2018 season began. But that’s all water under the bridge now. Only time will tell if he’s the Corey of old.