Friday, May 25, 2012

Dodgers' 2012 MLB Draft prospect profile: Corey Seager

Corey Seager, 3B/SS
Northwest Cabarrus High School (North Carolina) 
College Commitment: South Carolina 

3B/SS Corey Seager, NW Cabarrus HS (N.C.)


Vitals
6'3, 190 pounds
Bats: Left
Throws: Right
DOB: April 27, 1994

Rankings
Baseball America: 19
MLB.com: 44
Minor League Ball: 48

Info
Corey Seager, brother of Seattle Mariners' infielder Kyle Seager, is a sweet-swinging high schooler who profiles as a third baseman in the Major Leagues. At 6'3/190 as an 18-year-old, he could still grow, which would definitely prevent him from playing shortstop in the majors.

His rankings are all over the place, but Seager's ceiling might be higher than any player the Dodgers could conceivably get at No. 18. While there's significantly more risk with high-ceiling college hitters than with college hitters, Seager appears to be one of the best prep bats available.

Seager also was mocked to the Dodgers by Baseball America.

Scouting Report
Seager's ceiling is as a middle-of-the-order third baseman with power. In fact, he has legitimate opposite-field power as a left-handed hitter.

Defensively, he's destined for third base. However, he's been athletic enough to handle shortstop in high school. A lot of fringe high school shortstop end up moving positions. If he has enough arm to play shortstop, he likely has enough arm to play third base. It's an entirely different position, but the teenager has ample time and opportunity to learn the position.

From Baseball Prospect Nation:
"Seager is one of the surer bets among high school bats. He has an extremely advanced approach at the plate, actually rivaling that of the best approaches featured by high school players three and four years his senior. That, combined with the simplicity of his swing, physicality and easy power projection, leaves Seager with middle-of-the-order upside and the potential to go as high as the first 20 picks in the draft."
All great things here and a lot to be excited about.


Video


Video courtesy of Bullpen Banter, via YouTube

Conclusion
While Richie Shaffer is No. 1 on my draft board, Seager's potential is quite intriguing. He has a lot of "helium," as the MLB Draft gurus say, heading up to draft day, hence the disparity in rankings. If the Dodgers pass on Seager, it wouldn't be the worst thing -- especially considering there's a chance (small as it may be) he could be there at No. 51.

With a lot of helium comes the risk of overdrafting a player. The Dodgers need help at the corner infield spots in the minors, but they must take the best player available on their board at No. 18. If it's Seager, that would be fine with me.

Photo credit: Courtesy of Perfect Game

3 comments:

  1. Dustin where does Scott Piscotty rate compared to Shaffer and Seager? Trey Williams is also intriguing.

    Shaffer and Piscotty were already drafted by the Dodgers in earlier drafts. Will they go back to the well again? Is Daniel Robertson in the mix or is he unsignable?

    I expect us to draft a 3B player first, if we can get away from the fixation on a first round pitcher.

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  2. I personally have Picotty behind both Shaffer and Seager. But that doesn't mean I'd be upset if the Dodgers chose him.

    Williams intrigued me ... a lot. However, his stock has fallen a lot lately. So much so that second-round money might not be enough to get him.

    Robertson is in a similar situation. He's a good prospect, but it might be better for him to go to school.

    I want the Dodgers to draft a hitter. But if a really talented pitcher falls to them at 18 and is rated highly on their board, they shouldn't pass on him. It's always a wise decision to draft the BPA as opposed to drafting for need.

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