Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder Cody Bellinger took the world by storm in 2019, putting up perhaps the best season the franchise has seen in recent memory en route to taking home National League MVP, Gold Glove and Silver Slugger honors.
Bellinger’s second half wasn’t nearly as good as his first, so last offseason he decided to make some tweaks to his swing in hopes of being even better in 2020.
Unfortunately, it didn’t play out like that as Bellinger struggled offensively for much of the shortened season. In 56 games, the 25-year-old hit .239/.333/.455 with 12 home runs and 30 RBI.
Despite the struggles, Bellinger remained outstanding defensively, seamlessly moving over to center field after the team acquired Mookie Betts.
Bellinger’s postseason struggles have been well-documented during his young career, but he actually had his best October this year which was a big reason the Dodgers were finally able to break through and win it all for the first time since 1988.
In 18 postseason games, Bellinger hit .212/.316/.455 with four home runs and 13 RBI. While that production isn’t exactly spectacular, the hits he did get all seemed to come at big times for L.A.
2020 highlight
Bellinger had two postseason highlights that stood out, with one coming on each side of the ball. In Game 2 of the NL Division Series against the San Diego Padres, Brusdar Graterol entered the game with two outs and a runner on first in the seventh inning, trying to protect a 4-3 lead.
He was facing one of the bright young stars in baseball in Fernando Tatis Jr., who proceeded to launch a fly ball to deep center field. Bellinger timed it perfectly to make a leaping catch that robbed Tatis of a go-ahead home run, and the Dodgers went on to win, eventually sweeping the Padres.
Then in Game 7 of the NL Championship Series against the Atlanta Braves, Bellinger came up with the biggest hit of the Dodgers’ season. L.A. was looking to overcome a 3-1 series deficit to advance to the World Series and found themselves tied at three in the seventh inning.
Facing a tough righty in Chris Martin, Bellinger worked the count to 2-2 before fouling off a few pitches and finally getting one he liked in a fastball down the middle. Bellinger did not miss it, crushing a solo home run to right field to give the Dodgers a decided 4-3 lead.
There was a scary moment after Bellinger hit the home run as he dislocated his shoulder celebrating with Kiké Hernandez. He immediately had it reduced and was able to remain in the game, playing all six games in the World Series as well.
2021 outlook
While the shoulder injury did not cost Bellinger any time in the postseason, he was forced to undergo surgery on it at the beginning of the offseason.
Because he took care of it so early, the expectation is that Bellinger will be ready for Spring Training in 2021. He will again be the team’s starter in center field looking to bounce back from his down regular season.
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? It’s the best way to watch player interviews, exclusive coverage from events, participate in our shows, and more!
