In recent memory, few Los Angeles Dodgers have started their rookie year with as much anticipation as Corey Seager. In February he was touted as the top overall prospect by four major publications — Baseball America, Baseball Prospectus, ESPN and MLB.com.
Seager entered the 2016 season considered the frontrunner for Rookie of the Year honors in the National League. When he was called up to the Majors last September, he responded by hitting an outstanding .337/.425/.561 in 27 games, adding more fuel to the excitement and anticipation of his first full season.
Prior to joining the Dodgers, Seager hit a combined .293 with 37 doubles and 18 home runs in time with Double-A Tulsa and Triple-A Oklahoma City. He became just the second player in Oklahoma City franchise history to collect six hits in one game.
What’s more, Seager made the mid-season Pacific Coast League All-Star team and was later named the Triple-A Player of the Year by Baseball America. The success isn’t a complete surprise, as Seager comes from a prominent baseball family that hails from Kannapolis, North Carolina.
His eldest brother Kyle is an elite third baseman with the Seattle Mariners who has already been an All-Star and a Gold Glove winner in his young Major League career.
Middle brother Justin plays for Seattle’s Double-A farm team in Tennessee. Corey is the baby, but at 6’4” and 215 pounds, he is the biggest of the three. He was selected 18th overall by the Dodgers in the 2012 draft.
In addition to his offensive prowess, Seager plays shortstop, which is a high-profile position, and one the Dodgers have had little stability at the past decade. Naturally, Seager is being counted on to fill the void for the next decade.
CONTINUE READING: Pressure placed on Seager’s shoulders
