Corey Seager or Jimmy Rollins? Dodgers need to go with experience

This has become a growing thing, an unexpected “issue” few saw coming.

Corey Seager has been playing beautiful baseball since he was called up Sept. 3. For all the grand hype, he has been better than advertised. Smooth, composed, line-drive swing, aggressive, seemingly unfazed by his first venture in the majors.

He’s been playing so well while Jimmy Rollins has been out trying to recover from a bruised knuckle, that there has been a growing cry he should continue to start when Rollins returns. And not just from fans calling in to a local sports talk show.

ESPN’s headline Monday read: “Corey Seager is making it nearly impossible to bench him.” And a Los Angeles Times poll asked: “Who should the Dodgers start at short, Corey Seager or Jimmy Rollins?” A stunning 79% answered Seager.

Which, to me, is all wrong. You’re not going to see me write anything negative about Seager. He’s reached base safely in 25 of 46 plate appearances. He has a ridiculous slash line of .432/.543/1.219. He’s performing at a much higher level here than he did a triple-A Oklahoma City (.278/.332/.451).

“He’s a great player, obviously the No. 1 prospect for a reason, and he’s showing it,” said Clayton Kershaw. “It’s pretty impressive.”

All this heavy breathing he created with the Dodgers has been over the course of exactly 11 games. That’s it, 11 games. And remember, he’s 21 years old. Six months ago, he couldn’t legally buy a beer.

Rollins has had a disappointing regular season, though he has played better in the second half (.233/.301/.451) than in the first (.213/.301/.338). Well enough that he had returned to the leadoff spot.

But Rollins wasn’t acquired primarily for his bat. He was acquired for his defense, experience and leadership. And those are three handy elements to have in a player come postseason time.

Rollins and Howie Kendrick helped turn a shaky defense into one of the best in baseball. He’s made only nine errors all season. He has appeared in 46 postseason games. He’s the kind of veteran player who knows how to step up in the biggest, most pressure-packed games.

That’s why he’s here, and why Mattingly was correct to say he would again be the starting shortstop when he returns, which should be on this homestand.

If they keep playing Seager, maybe he continues his torrid start and they still live happily ever after in the postseason.

Yet it’s unreasonable to expect him to continue at his current level. It’s not like anyone else in the history of the game has. Maybe he handles the postseason as smoothly as he has the September stretch. And maybe his knees buckle just a tad, he looks like he’s 21 and in the playoffs for the first time.

The Dodgers don’t have to take the risk. They have a current alternative in Rollins, and a good one. One they planned on for 2015.

Next year, Rollins will likely be gone and Seager will be at shortstop on opening day. Right now, it’s time for Rollins.

Follow Steve Dilbeck on Twitter @SteveDilbeck