Blue Bios: Justin Sellers

Justin Ryan Sellers 12

Bats: Right Throws: Right   5’10” 160 lbs.

Born February 1, 1986 in Bellflower, CA

Periodically I like to sprinkle in a biographical piece about our Boys in Blue. Let’s take a closer look at Southern California native Justin Sellers. Justin hails from Huntington Beach, CA. He is covered in tattoos, and his nickname is fittingly

Sellblock.

With the departure of Jamey Carroll, it is almost certain that Justin Sellers will make the team this spring. Sellers could not only be a candidate to play second base but also valuable off the bench as a backup to Dee Gordon at shortstop and he may even play some third base.

The son of former Boston Red Sox pitcher Jeff Sellers, Justin was drafted by the Oakland A’s in the 6th round of the amateur draft out of Cal State Fullerton. In 2009 he was traded to the Chicago Cubs and then traded to the Dodgers a few months later for future considerations.

In 2009, he was selected to the Southern League all-star team, while hitting .280 with the Double-A Chattanooga Lookouts. He spent most of 2010 with the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes, hitting .285 in 90 games. In 2011, with the Isotopes, he played in 89 games and hit .304 with 14 home runs.

Justin made his Major League debut last August 11th for the Dodgers in order to replace an injured Dee Gordon. He appeared in 36 games for the Dodgers last season. He finished with a .203 batting average with 1 homerun and 13 RBIs in 123 at bats.

In his third Major League game on August 14th, Justin hit his first career homerun versus the Houston Astros and pitcher Jordon Lyles. The three run shot in the 6th inning was a dream realized for the Southern California native. Justin held his adorable daughter in a heart-warming interview after the game. “When I started rounding first base … I got the chills talking about it right now,” Sellers said. “I dreamed of it as a child and for it to happen with my family here like this in my hometown, I feel so blessed.”

His defense is solid, he’s been raised in the Dodger culture, and he’s put up admirable numbers in the minors over quite a few years. 2012 could be his first full year in the Majors, and I look forward to his contributions to the team.

Stay tuned for future installments of Blue Bios.