Dodgers 2019 Player Grades: Corey Seager’s rehab season

After season-ending surgery in 2018, Dodgers fans were finally excited to see their star shortstop return to the diamond. Did his 2019 campaign live up to the fan’s expectations?

The Dodgers’ 2019 season was filled with many fun and memorable moments throughout the 162 games in the regular season. However, no other moment personally takes the spot than seeing a healthy Corey Seager in the Dodgers starting lineup on opening day.

2019 was a year full of questions for Seager. How would nearly a year away from baseball affect the young star? How would the injuries/surgeries affect Seager throughout the year? Would Seager rebound and become the player we remember in the 2016-17 seasons? The answers to those questions are more fluid than you think.

The 2019 Dodgers offensively were explosive to start the year after an explosion on opening day the Dodgers were also treated to seeing Corey Seager making his 2019 debut and hitting a solo shot off of Zack Greinke. However, after this showing Seager, would struggle to find a rhythm with his hitting.

This for many fans was expected as Seager had just missed a whole season due to injury. During the first full month of the Season in April Seager only hit .240. As the season went on Seager would also finally get hot just as the summer air around him. Seagers best months offensively would have to be August and September where Seager had a combined 20 doubles, 10 home runs, and 41 RBI.

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However, an ongoing problem with Seager especially in 2019 has been the nagging injuries. During the 2017 Postseason Seager missed the NLCS with a lower back injury. In 2018 Seager missed the whole season with an arm injury that required him to receive Tommy John surgery, and in 2019 Seager missed an extended period of time with a hamstring injury in June.

Seager’s injury in June especially was disappointing as Seager was on a tear with the bat, batting .425 with 16 hits and 8 runs batted in. Despite all of this Seager still managed to be one of the league leaders in doubles in the NL with 44 and knocking in 19 home runs.

The biggest test besides offense for Seager would undoubtedly have to be how he would perform on defense. Throughout his career, Seager has been known more for his offensive upside than his defense, although, before 2019 Seager has been an above-average fielder. After a major arm surgery that has a history of being hit or miss with position players, Seager bounced back better than most.

Seager did, unfortunately, have a below-average fielding percentage at .969 (.984 league average in 2019), while also committing 15 errors. For Dodgers fans who watched most of the games in 2019, it did seem like Seager did struggle defensively which may explain the recent interest in Lindor. However, Seager’s offense outweighs his defensive struggles.

Corey Seagers 2019 Season Grade: B-

Corey Seager throughout the 2019 season was quite productive while he was healthy and on the field, however, the keyword is healthy. Seager after a slow start did get things working with the bat as the season went on, although after missing nearly the entire 2018 season Seager had a decent comeback campaign. If Corey can limit the injuries and defensive miscues look for Seager to have a big year in 2020.