Los Angeles Dodgers Minor Leaguer Cody Bellinger was named the top prospect at first base for the 2017 season by Baseball America. Bellinger has appeared on just about every top prospect list this offseason, as MLB Pipeline also ranked him as the top first baseman in the Minors.
In addition, he was rated the No. 4 overall prospect by ZiPS, sixth-best prospect by ESPN’s Keith Law, No. 7 overall by Baseball America, and the 13th-best prospect in the Minors by MLB Pipeline.
The Dodgers drafted Bellinger in the fourth round in 2013 out of Hamilton High School in Chandler, Ariz. The 21-year-old has quickly climbed the Minor League ranks in the time since.
Bellinger spent essentially all last season with Double-A Tulsa, where he batted .263/.359/.484 with 23 home runs, 17 doubles and 65 RBIs in 117 games. He demonstrated versatility in the field, as along with playing 81 games at first base, he also played 13 in left field, 13 in center field and nine in right field.
Bellinger was promoted to Triple-A Oklahoma City for the final three regular-season games, going 6-for-11 with three home runs and five RBIs. He remained with Oklahoma City for their nine-game playoff run and hit .250/.364/.361 with one double, one home run, six runs scored, five RBIs and seven walks.
After the Pacific Coast League championship, Bellinger was among several Dodgers prospects sent to the Arizona Fall League. In 20 games with the Glendale Desert Dogs, he slashed .314/.424/.557 with eight doubles and three home runs.
Bellinger, considered at worst the organization’s No. 2 prospect, is among the Dodgers’ non-roster invitees to Spring Training. This year will mark the second time of Bellinger’s career he’s in big league camp.
While it is highly unlikely he makes the Opening Day roster, it is possible that Bellinger will reach the Majors at some point this season. Presumably as a September call-up, following in the footsteps of Joc Pederson and Corey Seager.
