Dodgers call up Seager: Five things to know

The Dodgers will be calling up top prospect Corey Seager to join the ballclub, Jon Heyman of CBS Sports has confirmed. Interestingly enough, it was Seager’s high school baseball team on Twitter that broke the news.

New media!

So Seager is joining the club Thursday night in San Diego ahead of a four-game series against the Padres. What else is there to know here?

1. Seager didn’t exactly light up Triple-A

Seager, 21, hit .276/.331/.450 with 29 doubles, 13 homers, 59 RBI, 63 runs and three stolen bases in 104 games with Triple-A Oklahoma City. He previously tore up Double-A (.355/.390/.583 in 58 games across two seasons).

This is a very good slash line in Triple-A, but it’s not great and the Pacific Coast League is notoriously hitter-friendly.

2. He still has huge upside

There’s a reason all the respected prospect outlets ranked Seager within the top 10 — most in the top five — preseason in this ridiculously stacked prospect class. It’s that this kid has the chops to be a multi-time All-Star.

Let’s also realize that whenever the Dodgers were attached to a highly coveted player via trade, what did we hear about Seager every single time? Let’s use the Cole Hamels rumors as an example. We heard in every single report that the Phillies wanted either Seager or starting pitcher Julio Urias and every single time we, in turn, heard the Dodgers refused to part with either. They are a contender now and have seemingly unlimited funding for MLB players, so why are they hugging this prospect so hard?

He has that much upside. That’s why.

3. Seager has family pedigree

Mariners All-Star and Gold Glove third baseman Kyle Seager is Corey’s older brother.

4. His playing time situation is complicated

Where Seager fits will be interesting to watch. Had the Dodgers thought he was ready to dive in for everyday duty, it’s likely they would have called on him earlier, given that they are in a pennant race (and please don’t bring up “service time” when it comes to the Dodgers and their money). Thus, it looks like Seager is up with the expanded rosters to get his feet wet.

Then again, Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley up the middle aren’t exactly getting it done offensively for the first-place Dodgers.

The 36-year-old Rollins is hitting just .222 with a .276 on-base percentage, both the lowest marks in his career. He’s been better in the second half, but still .238 with a .294 OBP.

Seager is a shortstop by trade, so he could spell Rollins and maybe even take the job and run with it.

Seager can also play third base. No, he’s not taking Justin Turner‘s spot in the lineup, but Turner has experience at second base. As the Dodgers take it slow with Howie Kendrick‘s hamstring injury, it’s possible Turner swings to second for an occasional start at third. Such a move would spell Utley, who is hitting .200/.289/.400 since joining the Dodgers. We also must keep in mind that Turner is dealing with a hand injury.

Even if Seager doesn’t start everyday, expect him to get some pinch-hit and late replacement opportunities. There’s no reason to bring him up to just ride pine, especially with five remaining games for Triple-A Oklahoma City.

As for postseason roster eligibility, Seager has a shot. He’s not automatically eligible, since he wasn’t called up before Sept. 1, but teams can replace injured players. Kike Hernandez has since gone down and given that Seager was with the organization on Aug. 31, he’s a suitable replacement.

5. The prospect invasion continues

This has been an unbelievable year for prospect lovers.

Here’s the Baseball America top 10 heading into the season:

1. Kris Bryant
2. Byron Buxton
3. Addison Russell
4. Carlos Correa
5. Corey Seager
6. Joey Gallo
7. Lucas Gilolito
8. Joc Pederson
9. Francisco Lindor
10. Julio Urias

We’ve seen all but Giolito and Urias promoted to the bigs this year. Further …

11. Noah Syndergaard
12. Jorge Soler
13. Miguel Sano
15. Carlos Rodon
17. Blake Swihart
18. Daniel Norris
19. Kyle Schwarber
21. Rusney Castillo
24. Jon Gray
25. Archie Bradley

So 18 of the top 25 prospects have been called up during the season. That’s absurd. Also, take a look at some of the names and the impact they’ve had on the pennant race this season. This truly is the golden age of prospects making an impact earlier and earlier in this careers.

Seager is just the latest to join the party.

Corey Seager is coming to the Dodgers. (USATSI)

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