This season the Los Angeles Dodgers saw the arrival and emergence of several prospects, including, Jose De Leon, Julio Urias, Brock Stewart and Ross Stripling. Each figures to contribute in some capacity in 2017.
Beyond the aforementioned hurlers, Cody Bellinger, Willie Calhoun and Alex Verdugo headline the next wave of top prospects in the Dodgers organization. The trio were among the eight sent to participate in the Arizona Fall League at the conclusion of the Minor League season.
Bellinger was steady throughout the AFL, Calhoun earned Fall Stars Game MVP honors, and Verdugo did the best he could while battling fatigue.
The 21-year-old Bellinger is viewed as the heir apparent to Adrian Gonzalez at first base. However, Bellinger has enough athleticism and versatility that’s allowed the Dodgers move to occasionally move him to the outfield.
According to Jim Callis of MLB.com, its’s something Bellinger is comfortable with and willing to do if it means a fast track to making his MLB debut:
“I love first base but I grew up playing the outfield, so it’s starting to come to me like second nature,” Bellinger said. “Whatever gets me to the big leagues faster and wherever the Dodgers need me is fine. The more positions you can play, the more ways you can help the team.”
Bellinger played 81 games at first base for Double-A Tulsa this season, making 79 starts. He also logged time in left field (13 games; 10 starts), center field (13; 11) and right field (nine; five).
Bellinger only played first base for Triple-A Oklahoma City after joining the affiliate for their final few games of the regular season and into the playoffs. But with the Glendale Desert Dogs in AFL play, he started games in center field.
The Dodgers’ top hitting prospect figures to begin the 2017 with Oklahoma City for his first significant experience at the Triple-A level. However, prior to that, it’s not unreasonable to suspect Bellinger will again join the club as a non-roster invitee for Spring Training.
That is, if Bellinger is not included in a potential offseason trade. Naturally, the Detroit Tigers and Chicago White Sox were said to covet the young prospect.
