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Dodger Blue > Dodgers News > Dodgers News: Cody Bellinger Admits Struggles Led To Possibly Trying ‘Too Hard’
Dodgers News

Dodgers News: Cody Bellinger Admits Struggles Led To Possibly Trying ‘Too Hard’

Matthew Moreno
June 23, 2018
3 Min Read
Julie Jacobson-AP Photo
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Talented as Cody Bellinger is, he faced a near-impossible task of living up to the standard he set last season. Bellinger not only exceeded expectations, he shattered them en route to a historic campaign that resulted in a unanimous National League Rookie of the Year Award.

The 22-year-old was one of several players who was slow out of the gate as the Los Angeles Dodgers as a whole got off to one of their worst starts to a season in franchise history. Bellinger began to turn the corner but it was met with more inconsistency.

He managed just one hit Friday night against the New York Mets, though certainly made the most of it. After falling behind 0-2 in the count, Bellinger turned on a fastball from Zack Wheeler for a grand slam that reached the upper deck in right field.

The grand slam was Bellinger’s second of his career, 13th home run this season, and gave the Dodgers a 4-0 lead in the sixth inning that they never relinquished.

Being that he hasn’t produced at the same astronomical level he did as a rookie, Bellinger conceded it may have led to him pressing at the plate, via Ken Gurnick of MLB.com:

“It’s been difficult,” said Bellinger. “But it’s been a good learning lesson, I guess. The guys in the clubhouse keep me even-keeled. It hasn’t been too hard. The game’s hard. Maybe I’ve tried too hard. When you don’t start off, you want to help the team and you try too hard.”

On the season, Bellinger is hitting .232/.323/.459 with 14 doubles, three triples, 13 home runs and 36 RBI. He’s tied with Max Muncy for the team lead in homers, is third in RBI and fourth in on-base plus slugging percentage (.783).

If Bellinger is able to find some semblance of consistency, it will further strengthen a Dodgers lineup that’s been carried by Matt Kemp and Muncy. In addition to Bellinger, Chris Taylor and Justin Turner have shown flashes of their respective 2017 forms.

Though the trio hasn’t yet been their usual selves, each has continued to play stellar defense. And in Bellinger’s case, that’s unexpectedly come in center field more times than not.

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TAGGED:Cody BellingerLos Angeles Dodgers
ByMatthew Moreno
Matthew Moreno is a journalist from Whittier, Calif., who is a credentialed reporter and is currently the Executive Editor of DodgerBlue.com and LakersNation.com. In addition to covering Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angels Lakers, Matthew has a strong passion for keeping up to date with the sneakerhead culture. It began with Michael Jordan and Air Jordan shoes, and has carried over to Kobe Bryant's signature line with Nike. Matthew previously was the lead editor and digital strategist at Dodgers Nation, and the co-editor and lead writer at Reign of Troy, where he covered USC Trojans Football. Matthew graduated from California State Long Beach University with a major in journalism and minor in communications. Contact: matt@mediumlargela.com
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