Los Angeles Dodgers Need to Bring Up Corey Seager
By David Hill
Let us face facts – Jimmy Rollins has had a very good major league career, but his time as a starter appears to be about over. At age 36, the Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop has posted a mediocre .222/.279/.364 batting line. While his eleven home runs have been nice, Rollins is really not producing anything else offensively. Even his glovework, something that had kept Rollins in the lineup for the past few years, has become mediocre, as he has cost the Dodgers seven runs defensively.
With Los Angeles attempting to hold off the San Francisco Giants for a playoff berth, that black hole in the lineup could prove to be costly. At this point, one has to wonder how long the Dodgers can go forward before they attempt to bring in an upgrade, either through an August trade or internally. Fortunately, instead of attempting to trade for the likes of Starlin Castro, the Dodgers could have that upgrade in Corey Seager.
At this point, one has to wonder when Seager will reach the majors. Considered the top infield prospect currently in the minors, and a consensus top ten preseason prospect, Seager has certainly lived up to his lofty billing. After destroying Texas League pitching for a .375/.407/.675 batting line with five home runs in 86 plate appearances, Seager moved up to the AAA level. At age 21, he has more than held his own, producing a .278/.334/.444 batting line, hitting nine home runs and 23 doubles.
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These solid numbers produced by Corey Seager are certainly in line with expectations. At the AAA level, Seager has a .326 batting average on balls in play, only nine points above league average. Seager has also been right around the league average in terms of putting the ball in play, as his balls in play ratios are all within 1.5% of the league average. This batting line, as impressive as it is for a 21 year old at that level, is certainly not a fluke.
While it may be difficult for a player of his age to be able to step in at short and help the Dodger retain their lead in the National League West, Seager is considered to be a potential star in the making. Perhaps the pressure of a playoff push is not the best scenario for Seager to make his debut, but the Dodgers other options, either currently in the starting lineup or as a possible trade, are certainly not appealing. Seager, almost by default, would seem to be the best option.
It is time that the Los Angeles Dodgers make the future a part of the present. It is time for Corey Seager.