The Los Angeles Dodgers are right where they want to be as their 2015 campaign is winding down.
The Dodgers, who sit atop of the NL West division at 75-57, have won three straight and are 8-2 in their last 10 games. Los Angeles currently holds a 6.5 game edge over the San Francisco Giants for the division lead and have recently improved their team with their September call-ups.
Over the past couple of day, the Dodgers have made a plethora of roster moves. According to the team’s website, Dodgers.com , Los Angeles has activated relief pitcher Joel Peralta from the 15-day disabled list, selected the contract of OF Justin Ruggiano and recalled LHP Ian Thomas, RHP Joe Wieland, RHP Mike Bolsinger, C Austin Barnes, and OF Scott Schebler. Schebler is rated as the Dodgers No. 12 best prospect while Wieland comes in at No. 26.
Now, CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman is reporting that the Dodgers have called up their top minor league prospect, Corey Seager.
Dodgers are calling up corey seager, the top prospect in mlb
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) September 3, 2015
The 21-year old infielder was having an outstanding minor league campaign but his “big league” promotion is likely linked to the health of starting third baseman Justin Turner according to ESPN . Turner was struck in the left pinkie by San Francisco Giants right-hander Mike Leake in the sixth inning of the Dodgers 2-1 victory on Wednesday. Turner did stay in the game and x-rays were reportedly negative.
Seager will make his ML debut tonight (against the San Diego Padres) per CBS Sports Fantasy Expert Jason Lempert. The 21-year old will start at shortstop and bat eighth tonight (Thursday) against the San Diego Padres.
Tonight’s #Dodgers lineup: Pederson CF Utley 2B Gonzalez 1B Turner 3B Crawford LF Grandal C Van Slyke RF Seager SS Latos P
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 3, 2015
Seager, who has the ability to play shortstop and third base, is the only healthy player on the Dodgers’ roster that has played the hot-corner before — appearing in 19 games this season at third. Los Angeles does have other players that can play third base but they are unavailable at this time. Utility man Enrique Hernandez is currently on the disabled list with a strained hamstring and Chase Utley is starting at second base while Howie Kendrick remains sidelined with a hamstring injury.
The 2012 first round selection was on a tear at Triple-A Oklahoma City of late, going 11-of-35 with six extra-base hits in his last 10 games. Overall, the six-foot-inch left-handed hitter batted.276 with 13 home runs as well as 29 doubles and 59 RBIs in 104 games in Oklahoma City. Seager also spent time in Double-A Tulsa this season.
Seager has steadily risen up prospect charts over the course of his pro career and currently ranks No. 1 overall per Baseball America , ESPN’s Keith Law and Fangraphs’ Kiley McDaniel . MLB.com ranks him second in the game.
Seager is the younger brother of Seattle Mariners’ third baseman Kyle Seager.
[Photo by Rob Tringali/Getty Images]