2. Cody Bellinger, 1B/OF
Birthdate: 7/13/95 (21 years old)
Level(s) Played in 2016: AA, AAA
Stats in 2016: .271/.365/.507, 26 HR, 8 SB
With major league bloodlines (father Clay Bellinger played on two Yankee World Series champions and on an Olympic team), Cody had a leg up on the typical 4th round selection, but no one could have projected the leap forward he would take in 2015.
After hitting just four home runs in his first two professional seasons, Bellinger exploded for 30 home runs. He sacrificed some of the tremendous line drive swing that he had previous in order to get more loft into his swing.
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Showing that 2015 was no Cal League-induced season, Bellinger repeated his big power in AA this season, knocking out 23 home runs, along with 3 more as part of Oklahoma City’s final playoff push in a late season call up to AAA. However, the bat that looked like a .300 stroke for his first two seasons hit .263 in AA before a big 3 game AAA sample bumped him up over .270 on the season.
Bellinger again showed very well in the fall league, and he’s got a lot of momentum as a top 25 overall prospect, likely making #1 on many Dodger lists this offseason. I have some concerns with Bellinger, but that’s like saying I have concerns that my bank account is too large.
Bellinger is a solid athlete that could make the move to a corner outfield and be average to above-average there. At first base, he is an exceptional defender, with very good feel for the position and presenting an excellent target for his fielders at 6’4 and 215ish pounds.
Where my concerns with Bellinger lie are purely in his altered swing. He can get off path with that swing, and while he’s not exhibited much swing and miss to his absolute credit, he has shown issues with consistent contact and consistent swing path. Major league pitchers will be able to find ways to lead him into those bad swing paths more frequently with good video study, which does worry me that selling out for power as he’s done may end up hurting him in his initial adjustment to the big leagues.
I’d imagine Bellinger plays this season at AAA, and he’ll likely see his MLB debut as a September call up.
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