Los Angeles Dodgers Minor League first baseman/outfielder Cody Bellinger was named to the Arizona Fall League Top Prospects Team. Bellinger, and 23 others, were selected by Fall League managers and coaches.
The Dodgers sent Chris Anderson, Bellinger, Joe Broussard, Willie Calhoun, Ralston Cash, Corey Copping, Tim Locastro and Alex Verdugo to the AFL this year. Bellinger, Calhoun and Verdugo represent the best hitters the organization has to offer.
Although Verdugo struggled as he battled fatigue, Bellinger and Calhoun were bright spots. Bellinger batted .314/.424/.557 with eight doubles, three home runs, 17 RBIs and 14 walks in 20 games.
Bellinger led the AFL in doubles, and finished third in RBIs, on-base percentage and on-base plus slugging.
Meanwhile, Calhoun took home Fall Stars Game MVP honors, though saw sporadic playing time with Glendale Desert Dogs.
Bellinger spent the 2016 season with Double-A Tulsa, where he hit .263/.359/.484, with 23 home runs, 65 RBIs and 17 doubles over 114 games in his first experience at that level.
Bellinger’s highlights with the Drillers included hitting a home run out of ONEOK Field, and going 4-for-4 with a pair of homers and a career-high six RBI.
The Dodgers promoted the 21-year-old to Triple-A Oklahoma City for the final three regular-season games, plus the Pacific Coast League playoffs. He went 15-for-47 (.319 batting average) with a 1.006 OPS, four doubles and 11 RBIs in 12 games during that span.
Along with Andrew Toles, Bellinger was named one of the organization’s All-Stars by MiLB.com. He’s naturally drawn trade interest from other clubs, but the Dodgers appear intent on keeping Bellinger.
