The Los Angeles Dodgers knew they had a team full of stars in 2020, but what they perhaps didn’t know is that Corey Seager would become the biggest of them all during their World Series run.
Seager was forced to undergo Tommy John and hip surgeries, which cost him almost all of the 2018 season. He had a solid year in his first season back in 2019, although it was clear that it would take more time for him to get back to his pre-injury form.
The 2020 season truly was a special one for Seager, recently being named to the All-MLB Second Team.
In 52 regular-season games, Seager hit .307/.358/.585 with 15 home runs and 41 RBI, and most importantly, stayed healthy the entire season.
Seager had struggled in the postseason throughout the course of his Dodgers career, but that definitely was not the case this year. He was not only the Dodgers’ best player in October, but arguably the best player in all of baseball.
Seager batted an incredible .328/.425/.746 with eight home runs and 20 RBI in 18 postseason games, coming up with big hits whenever the team needed it and breaking all kinds of franchise records in the process.
Not only was Seager outstanding offensively, but he also played flawless defense throughout the postseason. He was rewarded for his efforts by being named the MVP of both the National League Championship Series and World Series.
2020 highlight
It’s hard to pick just one highlight for Seager, but arguably his most important effort came in Game 5 of the NLCS when the Dodgers were trailing 3-1 in the series to the Atlanta Braves.
The Dodgers found themselves facing a 2-0 deficit in the fourth inning and looked lifeless in the process. Seager got them going offensively, slugging a solo home run off Tyler Matzek to cut the Braves’ lead in half.
He then provided some insurance later in the game once L.A. took the lead, hitting another home run, this time a two-run shot to extend the Dodgers’ lead to 7-2. The Dodgers went on to win the game and the series, advancing to the World Series, where Seager continued his brilliance.
2021 outlook
Unlike previous offseasons, it is hard to see Seager’s name being included in any trade rumors this time around.
He is entering his final year of club control, so Seager will be playing with extra motivation in 2021 before hitting free agency for the first time next winter.
There have been no reports about the Dodgers having extension talks with Seager, although locking their shortstop up long-term would certainly be in the organization’s best interest if he is willing to do so.
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