When top Dodger prospect Corey Seager was promoted to the Dodgers Advanced Single-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes on August 2, he immediately became the youngest player in the California League at 19-years old (April 27, 1994). When he arrives in Glendale, Arizona to begin play in the Arizona Fall League on October 8, he will most likely be the youngest player to participate in that prestigious league as well.

“I’m excited to be picked for (the AFL) and it’s going to be a good experience,” Seager said. “It will be good to play against some older guys, some Double-A guys and see what’s out there and see how I compare to them. It’s a good comparison.”

Seager looks forward to playing against guys older than him in the Arizona Fall League, which begins on October 8. (Photo credit – David Bauman)

While the announcement that Seager would be representing the Dodgers in the 2013 AFL may have come as a bit of a surprise to some because of his young age, it certainly wasn’t for those who have been following the Dodgers’ 2012 first round draft pick or who have had the opportunity to watch him play.

Although only 19, the Kannapolis, North Carolina native and younger brother of Seattle Mariners third baseman Kyle Seager is extremely mature for his age and carries himself well. He is also extremely tall, regardless of his age. How many 6-4, 215-pound shortstops have you seen? And he probably isn’t finished growing yet.

When I mentioned to Seager that there have been quite a few former AFL players who went on to enjoy successful MLB careers, he smiled and said “I don’t really like to think about that.”

Seager will play for the Glendale Desert Dogs, who will play their home games at Camelback Ranch – the spring training home of the Dodgers and White Sox.

Switching gears a little, I asked the right-handed throwing / left-handed hitting Seager what the biggest difference is between Low-A ball and High-A ball.

“It’s an overall cleaner game, not as many mistakes,” Seager said. “The pitchers have a better idea of what they’re doing, maybe not as good as the higher (level) prospects, but they know how to throw.”

Seager began the 2013 season with the Low Single-A Great Lakes Loons where he hit .309 with 57 RBIs and 12 home runs which earned him the promotion to the Quakes. But since joining the Cal League, he has struggled and is hitting only .157 with 13 RBIs. He does, however, have four home runs in his 89 Cal League at-bats. Seager has also struggled a bit defensively since joining the Quakes, having committed 7 errors in 86 chances for a .919 FPCT.

Although Seager has played one game at third base since joining the Quakes, he said that there are no immediate plans to move him to third base from his natural shortstop position. That being said, I actually believe that he may eventually be a better fit at third base, a position that the Dodgers will soon need long term help at.

In spite of Seager’s struggles during the month of August, the Quakes are still leading in the race for the final Cal League South Wild Card playoff spot, but only by a precarious half game over their biggest rivals – the Inland Empire 66ers with only three games remaining in the 2013 season. Unfortunately those three remaining games are against the Lancaster JetHawks who not only won both the first half and second have titles in the Cal League South, they have also given the Quakes a hard time this season. In their 22 meetings, the Quakes are 7-15 against the defending Cal League champs.