The Dodgers selected Corey Seager in the first round of the First Year Player Draft on Monday, June 4. In selecting Corey the team departed from its extended tradition of selecting pitchers in the first round of the annual draft. This break from standard procedures was not all that surprising in that the Dodger farm system is quite well stocked with young power arms. The farm, however, is not well stocked with infielders and this year’s draft featured a number of good third base prospects, Corey being one of the better ones. Adrian Beltre was the last home grown third baseman for the Dodgers who are counting on Corey to be the next.

Corey Seager (Photo via BaseballAmerica.com)

Corey is the younger brother of Kyle Seager, the third baseman for the Seattle Mariners. He attends Northwest Cabarrus High School in Concord, North Carolina. Other recent Dodger draft picks from the Carolinas include Allen Webster, Jerry Sands, Jake Lemmerman and James Baldwin III.

Corey has been playing shortstop but with his set of skills should transition easily to third base. In the field, Seager has a strong arm that will help with that transition to third base, especially as he fills out his frame. He projects as an above-average fielder, having quick instincts essential at the hot corner. At 6’ 4” and 205 pounds Corey was named the 2012 Gatorade North Carolina high school baseball player of the year.

The following is a recent scouting report: “Seager bats lefty and, according to reports, projects as someone who could have around a .300 batting average with more than 20 home runs per season. Scouts talk about his ability to drive the ball to all parts of the ballpark, showing an advanced ability to hit it to left and center field instead of just pulling it. He also shows a steady approach at the plate, especially with two strikes, as he can draw walks and force pitchers deeper into counts.”

Corey moved up in the draft as an eighteen year old in part due to his maturity as a player, coupled with his considerable skills. 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.”

There had been expected signability issues with Corey as he is firmly committed to South Carolina and Scott Boras is his agent. However, being selected eighteenth may be the incentive needed to sign with the Dodgers. Logan is counting on that. We are too.