Dodgers News: Pederson, Seager And Urias All Honored
The Dodgers recently extended their agreements with their respective Single-A affiliates, however their Double-A and Triple-A teams will have new homes come the 2015 season. On Monday, the Dodgers announced more Minor League news, though it pertained to on-field performance:
The Dodgers named Julio Urias as Minor League Pitcher of the Year. Corey Seager and Joc Pederson named co-Minor League Players of the Year.
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 26, 2014
Julio Urias was in his first season with High-A Rancho Cucamonga and by all accounts overwhelmed the opposition on a consistent basis. Urias’ talent and results left some claiming he was Major-League ready despite only being 18 years of age.
The Dodgers however resisted the tantalizing prospect of adding the young lefty to the roster and stuck with their plan of slowly bringing him along. Urias finished the year with 87.2 innings pitched in 25 appearances and recorded nine strikeouts in three of his final four starts.
Joc Pederson made Pacific Coast League history by hitting 30 home runs and stealing 30 bases, and as a result, was named the PCL MVP. Unlike Urias, Pederson did receive a promotion to the Majors on Sept. 1 and has struggled offensively.
One positive for Pederson is he has played more than Dodgers manager Don Mattingly initially suggested the young outfielder would. As for Corey Seager, his year began with the Quakes and finished with Double-A Chattanooga.
Seager hit .352 with a 1.044 OPS in 80 games at the High-A level and he found similar success in Double-A, batting .345 and .915 OPS. Since debuting with the Dodgers’ rookie league team in Ogden, Seager has been promoted in each season and there’s little reason to believe the same won’t hold true in 2015.