Corey Seager’s Journey to the Majors Begins in Ogden

While baseball fans were enjoying the 2012 Home Run Derby Monday, minor league baseball was still being played. Matt Kemp, the captain of the National League homerun squad, only managed to hit one ball out. He did not advance to the second round of the Derby for the second consecutive season. The good news was that Matt looked healthy, and he will be ready to hit balls out of Dodger Stadium again this Friday when he is activated from the disabled list. Prince Fielder, who is now representing the American League, was crowned the Homerun Derby champion. Fielder once played for the Ogden Raptors at first base.

The Dodgers’ first-round draft pick, Corey Seager, has begun his own quest to hopefully someday play in the All-Star Game as a Dodger. The 18-year old left-hand hitting shortstop has played four games for the Ogden Raptors which is the Rookie level team affiliate of the Dodgers. Seager is Ogden’s first first-round selection to play since Bryan Morris in 2006. So far in his four games, Seager is hitting .389 with 7 hits in 18 at bats. He has struck out once and walked once. Corey even collected his first professional stolen base Monday night as he stole home as part of a double steal.

The 6’4″ Seager will play shortstop, although some have speculated that he may eventually become a third baseman. The North Carolina native

is the younger brother of Seattle Mariners third baseman Kyle Seager. Even though Seager was committed to play for the University of South Carolina, he chose to pursue professional baseball instead of accepting the scholarship. Dodgers assistant general manager Logan White was key in signing the 18th overall pick to a contract with a $2.35 million signing bonus.

Seager was a four-year varsity baseball player at Northwest Cabarrus, and he has been called “the most decorated high school baseball player in Cabarrus County history.” In his senior year, Corey had a .517 batting average with 10 homeruns and 37 runs in 28 games. He not only hits for power and average, but he also has a good arm and range defensively.

Corey made his professional debut with the Ogden Raptors last Friday at Lindquist Field. The Raptors lost 12-3 to the Orem Owlz, but number 46 went 1-for-3 with a single, a walk, and a run scored.

"“(It was) a little nerve-wracking. My legs were shaking a little bit, but it was good to get that first one out of the way and we’ll see where it goes from there,” he said."

The Raptors have just completed a three-game sweep of the Grand Junction Rockies after their 10-6 victory Monday night. Tuesday the Raptors are idle. Perhaps Corey Seager will be watching the All-Star Game as he imagines himself a part of the festivities in the future.

We will keep you updated on Corey’s season with the Raptors. You can also check out the Ogden Raptors’ official website for their complete schedule and coverage.