Los Angeles Dodgers: Cody Bellinger’s all time horrendous season

Cody Bellinger has been one of the biggest disappointments of the season for the Los Angeles Dodgers. The former National League MVP had been expected to be a major part of their lineup for the 2021 season, but has been an albatross when he has played. Between his injury woes and lack of production, Bellinger has not been close to what the Dodgers hoped for.

That lack of production is at historic levels. If the season ended right now, he would be on pace for the worst year in terms of batting average by any former MVP.

Los Angeles Dodgers cannot keep Cody Bellinger in lineup

Bellinger’s performance this season is utterly putrid. Entering Monday’s action, he had posted a .160/.237/.295 batting line in his 321 plate appearances, hitting nine homers and eight doubles. His -0.8 fWAR is the fourth worst in the majors of any player with at least 250 plate appearances. It is to the point where even the likes of Willi Castro have been better than Bellinger.

This dropoff in just two seasons is astonishing. Bellinger had appeared to be on his way to becoming one of the better young players in the game, winning the MVP award, a Gold Glove, and a Silver Slugger at 23 years old. His .305/.406/.629 batting line with 47 homers, 34 doubles, and 15 steals led to the belief that he was a star in the making.

While Bellinger struggled in 2020, that was easy to overlook. The pandemic shortened season led to many stars being unable to perform at their expected level, and Bellinger was no exception. There was no reason to believe that his struggles from 2020 would follow to this year.

Instead, he has been even worse. Injuries have held Bellinger to 85 games this season and have likely limited his effectiveness when he has played. The Dodgers have to hope that is the case and that he can return to form next year.

Cody Bellinger is in the midst of a historic season. It is just not the type of history that the Los Angeles Dodgers wanted him to make.