March 4th, 2016 at 6:00 am 
by Ron Cervenka Over the past four months and especially the past four weeks, much has been written about Justin Turner and his recovery from off-season microfracture surgery on his left knee. Most of the recent Turner hubbub has been centered around the fact that new Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has officially named Turner as his everyday third baseman; then again, Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman and general manager Farhan Zaidi have clearly shown us that the word ‘everyday’ doesn’t necessarily mean everyday in their playbook – with the lone exceptions being Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez and (perhaps) shortstop Corey Seager going forward.
But hidden in plain sight and most certainly overshadowed by Justin Turner, Chase Utley, Howie Kendrick and Alex Guerrero as another third base options for the Friedman-Zaidi-led Dodgers is a guy who has flown completely under the radar thus far – 27-year-old Rob Segedin.
The Dodgers acquired Segedin in a rather quiet off-season trade with the New York Yankees on January 12, 2016 in exchange for utility infielder Ronald Torreyes and left-handed reliever Tyler Olson. Although Torreyes appeared in eight games for the Dodgers down the stretch in 2015, Olsen wasn’t acquired until December 18, 2015 from the Seattle Mariners for a player to be named later or cash considerations and never donned a Dodgers uniform at any level. But what many Dodger fans may not realize is that this sparsely publicized trade could prove to be one of Friedman and Zaidi’s most important to date if (Lord forbid) Turner has to spend any significant time on the disabled this this season.
Segedin was originally selected by the Yankees in the third round of the 2010 MLB First Year Player Draft out of Tulane University as the 112th overall pick. And although the Old Tappan, New Jersey native has yet to play in a major league game, he owns a six-year minor league triple-slash of .272 / .350 / .408 for an OPS of .757 – not earth-shattering numbers, but not bad either.
If Chase Utley or Howie Kendrick don’t work out as a back up for Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner, Rob Segedin very well might. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)
Like most Dodgers position players, Segedin – a non-roster invitee to Dodgers’ major league camp as a third baseman, outfielder and first baseman – arrived early for spring training. As such, I had an opportunity to watch him workout at third base (along with Turner) on the backfields of Camelback Ranch. While there was nothing that overwhelmed me about Segedin, he looked extremely comfortable both at the hot corner and at the plate during batting practice.
Even though Segedin will probably see considerable playing time and in spite of him going 1 for 1 with an RBI double in Thursday’s spring training opener, he would have to have an absolutely off-the-charts red hot spring to break camp on the Dodgers Opening Day roster – especially with Roberts having already said that Utley and Kendrick “need to get repetitions” at third base. That being said, Segedin has an excellent shot at breaking camp as the starting third baseman for the Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers. And with the uncertainty of Utley’s and Kendrick’s success at third base and perhaps even more so their health (not to mention Justin Turner’s reoccurring knee issues), don’t be surprised to see Rob Segedin under the lights at Dodger Stadium at some point during the 2016 season.
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Is he better than Guerrero?
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Guerrero might be movable soon if he keeps thumping the ball. Since he isnt a FAZ guy, I suspect they will shop him aggressively. I don’t know Segedin but will check him out when I’m down there next week.
Really only saw him the one time at early ST and in Thursday’s game but he seemed more comfortable at 3B than Guerrero – but that’s only my opinion.
I don’t think he has Guerrero’s pop but I believe that he has better plate discipline.
Agree that F&Z are probably showcasing Guerrero hoping for a suitor.
I wouldn’t judge Guerrero plate discipline on his at bats last year. He had very good OBA in Cuba, and when he played in AAA. He was just being to agressive, to try to prove himself, last year. After all, this was his first taste of Major League Baseball. I think he learned a lot last year, while he was on the bench. It is to bad that that crazy catcher, made Guerrero miss out, on most of his first year, of American baseball. I think he is a better hitter, then some people think. He had good stats in Cuba, and in AAA, when he played there. He had better stats then Joc did, when he played with Joc, in AAA. Alex was hitting in 300s and had a better slugging percentage, and OPS then Joc did. And I don’t think he will have trouble with curve balls. He hit fine in Cuba, and AAA, and pitchers throw curve balls, in both of these places. In fact, some of the pitchers from Cuba, throw more junk, then pitchers elsewhere.
Ixnay on that “pop” thing. lol!
While I have no knowledge of Segedin (or any other Yankee farm hand), remember it was a non roster invitee two years ago who is now the starting 3B for LAD. Admittedly, I wanted to see how Utley and/or Kendrick took to 3B, and to see if Guerrero could play himself onto the roster, but now I will have to watch for Segedin. I also hope Barnes gets some time there. There are options…let’s see who emerges.
Agree wholeheartedly.
I think it will all come down to whether JT can play 140 or not. If he cannot, then I see the Dodgers going with the one or two guys who can play 3B and several other positions reasonably well – a talent favored by F&Z over a one-position bench player. This very well may be Guerrero over Segedin, Culberson and even Barnes, who you can count on to get some time in at 3B this spring (Roberts already said so).
May the best man win.
Ron, you make another good point with Charlie Culberson. He is one many forgot was in the organization. F&Z has certainly created viable options.
Ron, did you have a premonition on Segedin? Great game today. Two big HRs and a solid defensive play at 3B. Guerrero is going to have some competition.
No premonition, just liked what I saw in the guy. I paid more attention to his defense but noticed that he seemed to hit the ball hard, but it was only BP.
Having Barnes as a utility infielder can pay a great benefit. Teams today don’t have roster space for a third catcher. With Barnes they would have the flexibility to use Yas or AJ as a pinch hitter, run for the catcher in late innings, etc.
The problem is finding the space for him, like who doesn’t make the team. It’d be nice if they’d never resigned Utley, they probably wouldn’t have if they know they’d be getting Howie back.
I don’t know how they can work it, but it would give some flexibility most teams don’t have.
Segedin looks like he needs to drop 20+ lbs — appears to be much heavier than his 220 lbs at 6′ 3″