When it became known last month that rookie shortstop Corey Seager intended on participating in the Home Run Derby at the 2016 All-Star Game festivities, the so-called “swing experts” of the Dodgers‘ fan base made themselves known quickly, and warned that Seager’s swing mechanics and second-half offensive production may be negatively affected.
Sabermetricians had a field day with Joc Pederson in the months following his involvement with the Derby last season. Prior to the All-Star break, the 24-year-old outfielder seemed to be a cinch to win the NL Rookie of the Year award.