With Corey Seager and Julio Urias no longer considered prospects, the title for the Los Angeles Dodgers’ top Minor League player now hangs in the balance, and Cody Bellinger is very much at the center of the conversation.
The 21-year-old was selected by the Dodgers in the fourth round of the 2013 Draft, and much like Joc Pederson, Seager and Urias, has drawn trade interest from other clubs. However, just as they did with the aforementioned trio, Los Angeles has resisted moving Bellinger.
He began last season with Double-A Tulsa, joined Triple-A Oklahoma City and finished the year playing for the Glendale Desert Dogs of the Arizona Fall League.
Bellinger was recently named the Dodgers’ top prospect by Baseball America. He built upon a successful 2015 season, which Bellinger explained was a byproduct of a refined approach at the plate, according to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com:
“I really worked on my approach,” he explained. “[In 2015] in the Cal League I was just kind of swinging, thinking I can hit everything out, trying to prove that I have power. This year [2016] was more of to prove I’m a natural hitter, hit for power and average. Just knowing what I can hit and what I can’t hit.”
Bellinger batted .263/.359/.484 with 17 doubles, 23 home runs, and 65 RBI over 114 games with the Drillers. He then went 6-for-11 with three home runs and five RBI in three regular-season games with OKC.
After 150 strikeouts in 128 games with High-A Rancho Cucamonga in 2015, the 21-year-old lowered that number to 94 in 117 games last season. Bellinger also drew 60 walks between Double-A and Triple-A, which improved on his 52 walks with the Quakes.
Beyond the offensive production, Bellinger proved to be versatile in the field. He made starts last season at first base and all three outfield positions. However, Bellinger’s calling is unquestionably at first base, where he’s expected to take the mantle from Adrian Gonzalez in the coming years.
