After a record-setting Rookie of the Year campaign, Cody Bellinger and the Los Angeles Dodgers were confident a proverbial sophomore slump would not set in. And while Bellinger put together a productive 2018 season, it was not up to the expectations he’d set.
Appearing in 30 more games compared to his rookie season, Bellinger’s batting average, on-base percentage and slugging all declined last year. So too did his home run total, wOBA, wRC+ and walk rate.
If there was one positive, Bellinger did improve on his strikeout rate — from 26.6% as a rookie to 23.9% last season. After a winter spent refining his swing and approach, Bellinger is hitting at the same torrid pace he did upon making his MLB debut.
His work with Dodgers hitting coaches extends beyond the batting cage, with manager Dave Roberts citing Bellinger’s conversations with them as a key. “Just learning, watching video, understanding what I’m good at, what I’m not good at. That was more offseason work,” Bellinger said of the talks.
“During the season, you just grind. It’s a cat-and-mouse game and you just try to do what you can to beat the pitcher that day. I just think it’s the consistency factor is what the coaches have helped me with that I’m learning. Yeah, I’ve been feeling pretty good.”
With success comes growing confidence and a greater likelihood of staying the course. Bellinger admitted last season he began to get “away” from his plan at the plate. “When your plan and approach isn’t there, then the results probably won’t be there,” he added.
That certainly hasn’t been an issue in 2019. Bellinger’s grand slam on Tuesday night — off left-hander Madison Bumgarner, no less — gave him 69 home runs in his first 300 MLB games. It broke Mike Piazza’s Dodgers franchise record for most during that span.
“I think if you’re feeling good mechanically, the mental aspect allows yourself to see more pitches. Just confidence is pretty big,” Bellinger said.
While he is again producing at the level seen during his rookie season, once noticeable difference with Bellinger is newfound facial hair. He wouldn’t attribute his success to growing a beard, but also didn’t fully rule it out.
“I guess I got to keep it,” Bellinger said with a laugh. “Started growing it in Spring Training and it was alright, so I thought I would see how it looks during the season.”
