Dodgers News: Andrew Friedman Trusted Corey Seager’s Ability To Play 3rd Base
It may have occurred days or perhaps weeks ahead of when they envisioned it, but the Los Angeles Dodgers called up top prospect Corey Seager prior to their series opener against the San Diego Padres.
Seager made his debut the same day as joining the Dodgers, starting at shortstop to give Jimmy Rollins a much-needed night off. The 21-year-old shortstop then started at third base on Friday night and again Sunday.
A natural shortstop, Seager began working at the hot corner this season with Triple-A Oklahoma City. Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman acknowledged there was a bit of a rough transition period, but said he never lost doubt in Seager being able to play third, via Bill Plunkett of the OC Register:
#Dodgers Andrew Friedman on Seager at 3B: "I think early it was a little bit of a struggle. The ball is on you faster than at SS (cont)
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) September 3, 2015
Friedman (cont): "But his hands are so good and his work ethic is so good that we knew he would get there, it would just take a little time"
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) September 3, 2015
On Friday Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said Seager would spend the majority of his playing time at third base. Conceivably, some of Seager’s opportunities to start in place of Turner will be decreased once Chase Utley makes the expected move to the corner when Howie Kendrick returns.
However, Kendrick has yet to run curves without issue as he works to return from a hamstring strain. Including time spent with Double-A Tulsa before joining Oklahoma City, Seager hit .293/.344/.487 with 18 home runs, 37 doubles and 76 RBIs over 125 Minor League games.