Los Angeles Dodgers to promote top prospect Corey Seager
By Tim Haberin
The Los Angeles Dodgers will call up top prospect Corey Seager, according to CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman. The 21-year-old infielder is currently ranked as the #1 prospect in the game by Baseball America, among other publications.
With a handful of the game’s most highly-touted minor leaguers making the jump this season, many wondered when the Dodgers would promote Seager. With Jimmy Rollins manning shortstop and Justin Turner at third base, there did not appear to be a strong need on the left side of the infield, where Seager has experience playing both positions.
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Though some thought Seager’s promotion could have been in response to Turner being struck in the hand by a pitch last night, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports that it is due to utility man Jose Peraza‘s sore hamstring, which will sideline him for at least three to five games. With Enrique Hernandez out as well, the team needed a backup shortstop. Earlier they had indicated an unwillingness to promote Seager unless there was a clear opportunity for him to get regular playing time.
Whatever the reason, L.A. will be excited to finally see its prized prospect at the big league level. Seager played 20 games at Double-A Tulsa to start the year, slashing .375/.407/.675 with five home runs and 15 RBI. He found Triple-A competition a bit more of a challenge, although he still put up very solid numbers there. In 104 games at Oklahoma City, Seager posted a .276/.331/.450 line with 13 homers and 59 RBI.
Selected in the first round (18th overall) of the 2012 MLB Draft, scouts have praised Seager for his hitting prowess, above-average power, strong arm and mature demeanor. Due to his size (6’4″, 215 lbs) most believe he will stick at third base long-term rather than shortstop, though Astros rookie Carlos Correa has been challenging conventional notions of a shortstop’s build recently.
The Dodgers have been playing much better of late, winning eight of their last ten and pushing their lead in the NL West to 6.5 games. Getting their top farm system product some valuable major league time would be a nice bonus.