UPDADTE: Corey Seager is now expected to join the Dodgers today.
Dodgers are calling up corey seager, the top prospect in mlb
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) September 3, 2015
The #Dodgers' promotion of Seager is indeed happening, per @jonheymanCBS.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) September 3, 2015
Reasons for #Dodgers' promotion of Seager, per source: Peraza sore hamstring, out at least 3 to 5 games. W/Kiké out, no backup SS on roster.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) September 3, 2015
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The MLB rosters expanded to 40 players yesterday and a number of clubs have called up some of their best prospects. However, the league's top prospect is still waiting for his promotion - Los Angeles Dodgers' shortstop Corey Seager.
Rumors have surrounded Seager ever since the Dodgers let shortstop Hanley Ramirez walk in free agency this past offseason. At that point it was speculated the 21-year-old could play an integral role with the team in 2015, but then the Dodgers acquired Jimmy Rollins from the Phillies and it became clear Seager's influence would be much greater in 2016.
Nonetheless, Seager was still expected to make his MLB debut this season, especially since he has performed well in the minor leagues. He's batting .292/.343/.486 with 80 runs scored, 18 home runs and 74 RBIs in 124 games between Double-A Tulsa and Triple-A Oklahoma City.
But when the rosters expanded on Tuesday, Seager was not among those Dodgers' prospects to get the call, and it's not even guaranteed he does.
Corey Seager won't be called up by #Dodgers today. Still a possibility later this month.
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) September 1, 2015
Corey Seager and Julio Urias will not be joining the #Dodgers tomorrow. Mattingly wouldn't say if/when they'll be called up.
— Matthew Moreno (@MMoreno1015) August 31, 2015
President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman weighed in on the situation and provided insight as to why Seager was not an immediate call-up, even with the injury to Kike Hernandez.
"We're not going to bring guys up just to bring guys up," Friedman told Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register. "It's not that I don't (believe in the value of that). It's just that when you're in a pennant race it's much more about what's going on in that moment. I think there's ways to give guys some experience and be around and experience things in a different way. But clubhouses on the road are crowded and it's just something that we want the guys who are actively participating and helping us win the division.
"With all these guys it's a conversation and a debate about guys we think really have the potential to be a difference-maker. ... If we don't think guys are quite ready yet, it can be harmful to development."
After all, Seager has only just begun getting reps (19 games) at third base - where the Dodgers could need him this year - and there's a noticeable difference in his offensive production between Double-A and Triple-A.
"Friedman and his staff will have to do more of a cost-benefit analysis before deciding whether to do the same for Seager who could be their every-day shortstop in 2016," Plunkett adds.
The Dodgers might want to keep Seager in the minors at least until the Triple-A season ends. However, if the OKC Dodgers (1st in the Pacific Coast League) make the championship (Sept. 22 is the final game), then Seager would have about only a week to get his feet wet in the MLB.
We'll just have to wait and see what Friedman and Co. decide to do with the league's top prospect.
