After a poor 2021 season, Cody Bellinger was a popular bounce-back candidate this year. While he was able to slightly improve his numbers, they weren’t close to his level of production during an MVP 2019 campaign.
Bellinger hit just .210/.265/.389 with 27 doubles, 19 home runs and 68 RBI in 144 games this season. The two-time All-Star may have struggled at the plate but he still provided value in other areas, including on the base paths where he stole 14 bases, and with his glove in center field.
Still just 27 years old, there is hope that Bellinger can turn his career around. His agent, Scott Boras, believes a full offseason of strength training could help his client get back on the right track, via Juan Toribio of MLB.com:
“I think it’s about health and strength. We know he’s a five-tool player, and MVP-type. Unfortunately, he got hurt in that [2020] World Series. We had COVID in between that, we had interrupted elements. So [we’d like] to get him a really, really solid offseason to get his strength back. You got to remember, this guy’s an amazing defender, great baserunner, hugely accurate throwing arm, can play Gold Glove first base. You just don’t find talents like this. Twenty-seven years old. It’s really about getting his strength back so he can compete at his skill level.”
As Boras noted, Bellinger was among the many players affected by the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, which ended with him dislocating his right shoulder in Game 7 of the National League Championship Series.
The hope is that with another full offseason removed from the injury, Bellinger can return to his previous form and become a difference maker again.
Bellinger is currently a free agent after being non-tendered by the Dodgers earlier this offseason. He has so far been a popular name on the free agent market.
Cody Bellinger & Chase Carter expecting second child
Bellinger and his girlfriend Chase Carter announced on Instagram last month that they are expecting their second child together.
Bellinger and Carter began dating in late 2020, and the two welcomed their first daughter, Caiden Carter Bellinger, into the world on Nov. 30, 2021.
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