The Dominican Republic has produced current baseball talents such as Nelson Cruz, Hanley Ramirez, Robinson Cano, and Jose Reyes. The Milwaukee Brewers’ second-year shortstop, Jean Segura, aims to be the next breakout star from the great baseball nation. Segura broke onto the scene last year with the Los Angeles Angels and played only one game before being traded to Milwaukee. In 44 games with the Brewers in 2012, he batted a respectable .264 with 14 runs batted in and seven extra-base hits. With the 2012 campaign in the rear view mirror, Segura set his sights on 2013 and put in significant offensive work during the offseason.
It has certainly paid off so far. Segura leads the National League in batting average at .354 and sits in fifth in wins above replacement (WAR) at 2.7 (which is saying something, considering his team has only won 20 games). Over the last week, Segura is hitting .400, which includes a six hit game on May 28th in a 5-6 loss to the Minnesota Twins. The six hit performance was the first time a National League player had accomplished the feat since Adrian Gonzalez went 6-for-6 in 2009.
An aspect of his game that has greatly improved since last year is his power at the plate. In 151 total at-bats in 2012, Segura didn’t leave the yard once. Through 204 at-bats so far this season, he has already notched eight home runs, five triples, and six doubles. However, it’s not clear if those power numbers are sustainable throughout the season, as he has only one home run in his last 16 games. On the flip side of his improved power numbers is an aspect of his game that needs to improve; defense. He’s had some spectacular plays so far this year at shortstop, but consistency has been an issue. He’s made six errors already this year, which places him in the middle of the pack in the National League (T-7th).
If you’re like me, you’re wondering if Segura can sustain the incredible batting average that he has so far this season through about 50 games. Hitting this well comes as no surprise to Segura based on his five and a half years of play in the minor leagues. I know it’s a whole different ball-game from the big leagues, but these statistics are definitely something to take note of. In his career in the minor leagues, he recorded 491 hits in 1,570 at-bats; good for an impressive .313 batting average.
Jean Segura is a remarkable talent at shortstop in only his second year in the big leagues. Taking his statistics this season and those from his minor league days into account, I only expect his stock to rise in years to come. It’s a shame that the Brewers are so doing poorly this year, because Segura is definitely a player you want to see in the playoffs year-in and year-out. Just how good is Jean Segura? You be the judge, but I think he will be a perennial All-Star and a franchise player for years to come.