Los Angeles Dodgers All-Star Cody Bellinger proved on multiple occasions throughout the 2019 season that he can impact any given game on either side of the ball.
The 24-year-old cut back on strikeouts and improved against left-handed pitching — all while maintaining his power stroke that led to career-bests in a plethora of categories. Bellinger additionally thrived with his glove and arm, grading out positively at three different positions.
When it was all said and done, he was named National League MVP, earned Silver Slugger honors and took home his first career Gold Glove Award in right field. In a year that was full of highlights and memorable moments, DodgerBlue.com has ranked Bellinger’s best plays from his MVP season.
The list concludes with No. 1, when Bellinger robbed Milwaukee Brewers star Christian Yelich of a home run before hitting a go-ahead blast against Josh Hader to propel the Dodgers to a 6-5 victory.
.@Cody_Bellinger just robbed @ChristianYelich. 😱 pic.twitter.com/pVA7rr5nVp
— MLB (@MLB) April 21, 2019
.@Cody_Bellinger just hit the 2nd homer EVER off Josh Hader by a LHB.
Lefties were hitting .103 (16-for-156) vs. Hader. pic.twitter.com/RJLBrh5q3u
— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) April 21, 2019
Holding on to a 5-2 lead, the Dodgers were six outs away from completing a series win over the Brewers at Miller Park. Leading off the eighth inning was none other than Christian Yelich, who had already hit four home runs in the matchup.
Facing Pedro Baez, he crushed a ball to right-center that appeared to be sailing over the wall. That’s when Bellinger leaped and managed to rob Yelich of what would’ve been his MLB-leading 14th home run of the season.
Baez went on to allow two singles before retiring one more batter. Needing one out to escape the jam, the Dodgers summoned Kenley Jansen out of the bullpen for a four-out save opportunity.
He promptly gave up a three-run home run to Eric Thames that allowed the Brewers to even up the score at five apiece. With momentum on their side, Milwaukee deployed Josh Hader in the ninth inning.
The left-hander punched out the first two batters he faced, bringing up Bellinger in a crucial spot. While Hader usually made quick work of left-handed hitters, it was Bellinger who delivered the decisive blow with a go-ahead home run to right field.
Jansen returned to the mound for the ninth inning, striking out the side to solidify the Dodgers’ third win in four tries against the Brewers on the road.
Best Cody Bellinger Plays From 2019 NL MVP Season
No. 2: Throwing out Michael Conforto at third base to help Kenley Jansen escape jam
No. 3: Consecutive walk-off wins against Arizona Diamondbacks
No. 4: Throwing out Stephen Strasburg at first base to preserve Hyun-Jin Ryu’s no-hitter
No. 5: Defensive play helps seal win against San Francisco Giants
No. 6: Catches to rob Atlanta Braves’ Ronald Acuña Jr.
No. 7: Grand slam off Madison Bumgarner
No. 8: Throwing out Brandon Crawford and setting MLB record in same game against San Francisco Giants
No. 9: First multi-home run game of the season
No. 10: Home run on bobblehead night
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