Q&A: K. Seager set brothers on path to Majors

Mariners third baseman Kyle Seager and youngest brother Corey, the Dodgers' shortstop, have established themselves in the Majors. Middle brother Justin, a corner infielder, is in the Mariners' Minor League system and hoping to join his brothers in the big leagues.
Kyle is headed into his seventh season with the Mariners, having earned All-Star and Gold Glove honors in 2014. Corey won the National League Rookie of the Year Award, and he was an All-Star and a Silver Slugger winner in '16, after debuting in September '15 and finding himself hitting third in the NL Division Series against the Mets that October. Justin was a 12th-round Draft pick of the Mariners in '13, who has played only two games above the Class A level so far -- at Double-A Jackson last season.
There have been at least 19 trios of brothers to make the big leagues, according to Baseball Almanac -- including five Delahantys: Ed Frank, Jim, Joe and Tom; and four O'Neill's: Jack, Jim, Mike and Steve.
Can the Seagers make it 20? If so, can they match the efforts of Felipe, Matty and Jesus Alou, who combined to play in a family record 5,129 games?
Only time will tell.
But what is known is that the Seager brothers are friends, as well as family.
Kyle, the elder statesman, is the subject of this week's Q&A:
MLB.com: You come from a baseball family. Did you father, Jeff, play baseball, too?
Seager: He played collegiately at Fairleigh Dickinson University. He had some injuries towards the end of college. He would have had a chance to play professionally, but he opted to go to work.
MLB.com: How did he approach his sons and baseball?
Seager: He always encouraged us to play all sports and be well-rounded and have fun. You become more athletic. Different sports teach different skills. Basketball, there is dribbling, running, hand-eye coordination. The skills work in other sports.
MLB.com: You were the first to make the big leagues. Was it a big deal to Corey and Justin?
Seager: When I was called up in 2011, Corey was in high school. I remember showing him and Justin around, going through all the stuff. We're in the cage hitting, playing catch, running. He's throwing harder than me and I thought, "That's OK. I don't throw hard." He starts hitting and he's better than me. I thought, "Well, I might be in trouble. My high school brother's already better than me." He has done a great job. I could not be happier for him.
MLB.com: Does Justin get lost in the shuffle?
Seager: He's our middle brother. He has been doing well. He was in High [Class] A last year, [and played] a little bit of Double-A. He is grinding and working his way up. He and I went to college. Corey signed out of high school.

MLB.com: Does he get overlooked in comparisons with his brothers?
Seager: Everybody is on their own plane. Comparing me or Justin or anybody to Corey is pretty tough. Corey's on his own program. He has obviously been accelerated, and he obviously has shown he deserves that. He got a callup at the age [Justin and I] were still in college. That's pretty special.
MLB.com: Was there a friendly family rivalry growing up?
Seager: I'm older than both of them, [four years older than Justin and six years older than Corey]. They were more about following me around, but those two used to battle pretty well. They were about the same age and usually about the same size.
MLB.com: So how was it having the "kids" following you around?
Seager: It was fun. We have gone through this together. We've learned. We've heard from different people. We've been able to bounce ideas off each other, talk to each other. It's a mutual thing. If Justin sees something I'm doing, he tells me. If Corey sees something Justin's doing, he tells him. It's a good flow.
MLB.com: So it's not a "Big Brother Is In Charge" routine?
Seager: It was maybe like that a little bit in the beginning, where I'd gone through everything before them. But they've both been playing [professionally] a few years and have had success. At the same time, we all know what we are trying to accomplish and we are all trying to get better. If we can help each other, it's foolish not to.
MLB.com: Was there anything in particular you told Corey when he was called up?
Seager: We had some talks, but the biggest advice I could give him was to enjoy it. Everything is going to speed up. It's a whirlwind for a little bit, but embrace it and enjoy it. [He's] certainly earned it.
MLB.com: Two years ago at the All-Star Game, you said he was going to be the best in the family. But does he still surprise you with what a quick impact he's made?
Seager: The talent's always been there, but sure there was some surprise. For anybody to step on the field and do what he did right out of the gate, you can't expect that. He has done a phenomenal job handling all the pressures that go with it. He has handled it in stride.

MLB.com: He even stepped into the middle of the lineup on a contender.
Seager: That's what I was alluding to. He is wired for this [mentally]. He doesn't get high or low. He is [even-keeled]. It is not too often that your September callup is playing short and hitting third in the first game of a postseason. That is a testament to the impression he made and is continuing to make.
MLB.com: Do you remember how excited the family was at your debut?
Seager: They were all there. Justin was in from college. He drove home and they all flew out [to Seattle] and were able to catch it for me. Obviously, it was a thrill and I got to watch both of them get drafted, as well.
MLB.com: You could become the 20th three-brother family in the big leagues.
Seager: That is the goal. That's what we are telling Justin. It's like if we could trade for Corey and call Justin up and all three of us could play together.