Dodgers Offseason: Winter League, AFL Players Trending Up And Down
The Dodgers had Gordon begin taking time at second base, logging 3.2 innings there in 2013. Before the playoffs, they also had him take fly balls in the outfield. With his speed, if Gordon can become a capable outfielder and the Dodgers may choose to keep Gordon around and fill that utility player role.
Trending Down
Corey Seager
Although he was chosen with Garcia to represent the Dodgers in the Fall Stars game, Seager has struggled in the AFL thus far. In 12 games with the Desert Dogs, Seager is hitting just .174 with 16 strikeouts. He does have a home run and has driven in six, but has yet to show the stroke that made him a first-round pick in 2012.
The 19-year-old is the youngest player in the league, but the Dodgers felt that he was capable of playing at that level. In 2013, Seager spent time in Single-A with the Great Lakes Loons before advancing to the California League to join the Class-A Advanced Rancho Cucamonga Quakes. Overall, he hit .269 with 16 home runs and 72 RBI, although he struggled with the Quakes, hitting just .160 in 27 games.
Seager is still a couple years away from the majors, but the Dodgers will keep monitoring his improvement as he’s one of their best prospects. The infielder still has time to turn things around and have a good showing this winter.
Pedro Baez
Even though Baez had four scoreless appearances with the Desert Dogs, he was replaced on the roster after the team added left-hander Onelki Garcia. The converted third baseman was solid in his 4.1 innings of work but was replaced after the Dodgers were eliminated from the playoffs and Garcia headed back to Arizona.
In 2013, his first season as a pitcher, Baez pitched for the Quakes and the Lookouts and had a combined ERA of 3.88 in 48 games. It would have been good for Baez to stay with the Desert Dogs and continue his development but his progress showed in his limited time.
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In case you missed it, here’s the Dodgers pool celebration, PLUS Yasiel Puig’s celebration dance off!
http://youtu.be/LknQOqL7uME
