Steve Webb
As far as we’re concerned there is only one question when it comes to the Dodgers’ shortstop position this year. Just how awesome will Corey Seager be? Will he be merely awesome, or will he be really awesome, or perhaps will he even be really, really, really awesome?
Okay, maybe that is overstating the case a little bit, but if last year and this Spring Training are any indication, we can safely pencil in #5 at shortstop pretty much every game. Chris Taylor will probably spell Seager from time to time, and rookie Zach McKinstry will see playing time as well, but the position is definitely Seager’s for as long as he wants it. Since we’ve already talked about Chris Taylor as a potential second baseman in another post, let’s focus today on Seager and McKinstry.
Corey Seager (2020: .307 AVG, 15 HR, 41 RBI)
Simply put, Corey Seager was phenomenal last year. Finally completely healthy after his season-ending elbow injury in 2018, Seager was lethal hitting out of the 2-hole after Mookie Betts. He hit for an impressive OPS of .943 during the regular season, and was even better in October. Not only did he hit a record five home runs and have a slugging percentage of .8-frickin’ 97 in the NLCS, he was just as good in the World Series. He hit a tidy .400 in the Fall Classic, and for the second postseason series in a row, took home the MVP hardware after the Dodgers’ victory.
But if you thought Corey Seager was going to be resting on his laurels and doggin’ it this spring, you don’t know this former Rookie of the Year very well. Seager has had a torrid Spring Training, hitting well north of .450 as I write this, with already five homers in just over 25 at bats. And I’m no Sabremetric genius, but that strikes me as pretty good. Plus, Seager is one motivated cat this year, as his contract is up at the end of the season, and he’s already eyeing a big payday. If he continues to produce at this level, just back up the Brinks truck, and Give. Him. All. The. Money.
Zach McKinstry (2019 [Tulsa & OKC]: .300 AVG, 19 HR, 78 RBI)
Rookie Zach McKinstry was on the big team long enough to notch his first Major League hit in 2020, but only saw action in four games all season. However, Dodger brass must feel pretty confident in this young man out of Central Michigan. It looks like this former 33rd round pick is being groomed to be Kiké 2.0 for 2021. He can play both infield and outfield, and gives Dave Roberts a lot of flexibility on the bench. It’s just this flexibility that could get him a spot on the opening day roster.
Still, veteran Chris Taylor played short at Virginia, and is a more experienced hand. It will be a slight surprise if McKinstry sneaks his way onto the roster, but only slight. He has been rock solid this spring, and like Seager is hitting over .400 with two weeks to go before opening day. Even if he doesn’t make the final cut, look for him to log a lot of frequent flyer miles between OKC and LAX this summer.
So with a budding superstar and two other good-looking options at short, we can feel pretty confident in our rating at this position.
DODGERSBEAT RATING: A
