Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager entered the 2016 season with plenty of expectations on his shoulders. Somehow, the 22-year-old managed to exceed those and it led to Seager earning plenty of national recognition and hardware.
He was unanimously voted the National League Rookie of the Year, beating second-place finisher Trea Turner of the Washington Nationals, and teammate Kenta Maeda. Seager
also won the Players Choice NL Outstanding Rookie Award, and a Silver Slugger.
He finished in the top three in voting for NL MVP. Seager is already considered by many as one of the best shortstops in all of baseball, and with the 2017 World Baseball Classic coming up this March, the Team USA roster would greatly be bolstered if Seager were to play for them.
During a recent appearance on Dodger Talk on AM 570 L.A. Sports Radio, Seager has given that prospect some thought:
“It’s definitely something I’ve had talks about but I haven’t really decided one way or the other. … You want to be ready for your team, and obviously your country is special to you, so it’s going to be a tough decision coming up.”
Seager will not be the only Dodgers player potentially participating in the the 2017 WBC, as Adrian Gonzalez will almost certainly be playing for Team Mexico, and he possibly could be joined by Julio Urias and Yasiel Puig, who have both expressed their interest in joining the Mexican national team.
Additionally, free agent closer Kenley Jansen has said he intends to play for the Nethlerlands. Meanwhile, Seager could potentially be joined by Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw, as he is tentatively slated to play for Team USA.
Washington Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer, Tampa Bays Rays starter Chris Archer, and most recently Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado, have all committed to representing the United States.
The 2017 WBC will begin with pool play on March 9, and Dodger Stadium will play host to the Semifinal and Final games from March 20-22.
