Corey Seager’s Sweet Swing…and Smile

One of the highlights of my Spring Training trip last weekend was taking a look at some of the Dodgers prospects both during the games and on the back fields working out. Both Joc Pederson and Corey Seager impressed me throughout the two days with their maturity and their polished skills. Seager, who drove in the tying run for the Dodgers in the ninth inning of last Friday’s game versus Cincinnati with a sacrifice fly, was working out amongst the major leaguers and fitted in like he belonged.

While Joc Pederson may already have a certain air of confidence, Seager seems more grounded and subdued. Even though Seager was focused during his workouts I watched, and he seemed more serious than the joking Juan Uribe, Corey’s smile sure could light up the entire ball park.

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Even though Seager has always been a bit big for his position at shortstop, I always have thought that he has no trouble smoothly fielding his position even when I saw him play for the Quakes in Rancho Cucamonga. During Friday’s game at Camelback Ranch, Corey once again cleanly and seemingly effortlessly played shortstop giving me a glimpse into the future for the Dodgers.

Don Mattingly even compared Seager to Cal Ripken Jr. after impressing him this Spring Training.

"“Without a putting a giant X on his back, he’s more like a Ripken to me, as far as being the big shortstop that doesn’t really profile there but has great hands, great awareness, really good clock as far as calmness and knowing the timing,” Mattingly said. “At the plate, he’s more like a little bit of an Olerud, if you really watch him. He’s quiet. He’s a big guy with a small swing.”"

Corey’s swing is sure sweet. After watching him work in the batting cages, I could see how Mattingly could see the comparison between Seager and Ripken.

Check out my video of Corey Seager in the batting cages last Saturday and footage of his sacrifice fly the night before. Dustin Nosler, over at Dodgers Digest, also has some great footage of Corey taking some batting practice earlier during Spring Training.

Seager looked to get along with the major leaguers very well during workouts, and he seemed to be soaking in all the information and tips both offensively and defensively that they could provide in order to get the most out of his time at Camelback Ranch before the season starts.

The big infielder finished up his 2014 season with the Dodgers’ double-A club in Chattanooga where he hit .345 in 38 games, and he could begin the season at AA (Tulsa) as well before making his way to Oklahoma City (or even the Dodgers) in 2015.

This Spring, the 21-year old is hitting .333/.526/.500 with 4 hits, 5 strikeouts and 6 walks in 19 plate appearances so far. While Seager’s development shouldn’t be rushed, after watching him at Camelback Ranch, I wonder whether we will be seeing Corey with the Dodgers sooner rather than later. Jimmy Rollins, who is also hitting well this Spring with his new team, is in his last year of his contract.