Corey Seager -- Prospect Evaluation

Corey Seager is a left-handed hitting shortstop prospect for the Los Angeles Dodgers ranked as the organization's top prospect. Selected 18th overall in the 2012 Draft, Seager signed rather than attend the University of South Carolina. At 6-foot-4, 215 pounds, he is the tallest of three professional baseball-playing Seager brothers.

Seager possesses a natural, compact swing with very good bat speed and excellent contact ability. His mechanics have significantly improved since the 2013 Arizona Fall League when he hit .181 with 25 strikeouts and appeared passive at the plate. By the 2014 Fall League, he demonstrated marked improvement, hitting .281 with 10 doubles, 2 triples, and 1 home run while looking more relaxed and in control. He covers the plate well and recognizes pitches quickly.

Defensively, Seager looks comfortable at shortstop with adequate range and arm strength for average defense, though some feel his size suggests an eventual move to third base. He lacks exceptional foot speed and graceful movement but is adequate at the position. Scouting profile author Pleskoff sees no reason to move him unless circumstances change.

Seager's strengths include excellent baseball instincts and a commanding presence in the batter's box. As a pure hitter with improving contact rates, he is projected to develop into a consistent 20+ home run hitter. His impact will primarily come through getting on base and his refined mechanics rather than game-changing power, positioning him as a potential franchise centerpiece.

The Dodgers are calling up Corey Seager, the top-ranked prospect in baseball, to reinforce their third-base depth following Justin Turner's hand injury mid-August. Seager, the 18th overall pick in the 2012 draft and younger brother of Mariners All-Star Kyle Seager, has demonstrated sustained excellence through the minor league system. His 2014 season marked a significant breakthrough with a 1.004 OPS split between High-A and Double-A competition. In 2015, he maintained elite production with a .375/.407/.675 slash line at Double-A Tulsa before earning promotion to Triple-A Oklahoma City, ultimately earning the No. 1 ranking in Baseball Prospectus's July mid-season top 50 rankings.

Seager's offensive profile is characterized as exceptionally mature for his age. His left-handed swing demonstrates excellent bat control, staying through the strike zone with sufficient bat speed despite its length. He combines outstanding pitch recognition with disciplined at-bat approach, willing to hit the ball to all fields rather than pull-heavy. His swing mechanics feature natural loft combined with strong lower-body mechanics and good extension, enabling him to generate power to all parts of the field and produce backspin that projects as a doubles strength.

Defensively, Seager is evaluated as a below-average runner with excellent field instincts and above-average throwing arm. Scouts project his long-term position as third base rather than shortstop, as his athleticism will likely decline as he ages. However, his elite offensive skill set is expected to play at any infield position, providing positional flexibility to maximize his impact.

Corey Seager is a 20-year-old shortstop prospect in the Dodgers' minor league system, currently playing for Rancho Cucamonga Quakes at the High-A level. Scout Ron Shah evaluated Seager across five dates between June and July 2014. Seager possesses a large, highly projectable frame at 6'4"-6'5" with wide shoulders and hips, demonstrating legitimate athleticism and strong bloodlines as the younger brother of All-Star third baseman Kyle Seager.

As a hitter, Seager earned a 60-grade future rating. He displays a quiet approach in the box with strong pitch recognition skills and selective aggression, comfortable hitting with two strikes. The report notes he has made significant adjustments, including shortening his over-stride, cutting down his deep load, and keeping his weight back longer while going the other way more frequently. He combines plus bat speed with plus strength and shows a smart, planned approach at the plate.

Seager's power tool received a 65-grade evaluation, indicating 65-grade raw power from the left side with potential to hit 26-28 home runs at his peak. His plus bat speed combines with lift in his swing and major-league strength to create plenty of backspin for carry. With a mild risk factor, Seager carries an MLB ETA of 2016 and an overall future potential grade of 70.

Corey Seager, the Los Angeles Dodgers' 18th overall pick in the 2012 MLB Draft, is evaluated as a budding prospect with comparatively safe developmental trajectory despite limited Double-A experience. The 6'4", 220-pound left-handed hitter signed for $2.35 million and progressed through multiple minor league levels, posting consistent offensive production at Single-A levels: .309/.383/.520 with Ogden (2012) and .309/.389/.529 with Great Lakes (2013), before struggling at Rancho Cucamonga due to fatigue.

Seager's hitting profile demonstrates significant strengths in his smooth left-handed stroke and plus bat speed generated through strong wrists and forearms. He maintains consistent hard contact with natural loft that produces backspin for home runs and demonstrates the ability to hit opposite field with authority. His hands remain quiet and stationary during his swing, allowing his bat to stay in the strike zone for extended periods and barrel up pitches effectively.

The primary mechanical concern identified is his vulnerability to inside pitches, a common challenge for tall hitters. His relatively wide base and follow-through mechanics warrant monitoring as he advances. Overall, Seager was promoted to Double-A Chattanooga in July 2014 to make his Southern League debut, with the prospect representing a strong developmental prospect in the Dodgers' system despite not yet playing at higher minor league levels.

Corey Seager is a tall, left-handed hitting prospect who plays third base. Standing 6'4" and weighing 190 lbs, he is the younger brother of Mariners third baseman Kyle Seager and is committed to play college baseball at South Carolina.

Defensively, Seager displays natural instincts at the hot corner with soft hands and a smooth transfer. He possesses surprising speed for his size and has demonstrated infield velocity reaching 90 mph, indicating solid defensive potential.

At the plate, Seager exhibits impressive raw bat speed with strong contact quality off his bat. However, his swing contains a hitch that creates vulnerability against quality velocity. This mechanical flaw will likely require experience and development to address, suggesting he is still refining his approach as a prospect rather than an immediately polished hitter.