Cody Bellinger wins first career Gold Glove Award

Award season has begun for Cody Bellinger, who took home his first career Gold Glove Award on Sunday night for his defense in right field.

On top of being one of the best hitters in baseball during 2019, he was also arguably one of the best defensive outfielders as well. He had 19 defensive runs saved, the most by any right fielder in baseball. Additionally, he was second second among NL right fielders with a 9.5 ultimate zone rating and 10 outfield assists.

OC Register Dodger beat writer Bill Plunkett tweeted Bellinger’s thoughts on the award

Manager Dave Roberts predicted Bellinger would win the award back in September. “Defensively, he’s going to win the Gold Glove in right field this year,” he said to the media. “[He] could’ve won it at first base or in center field. The versatility he provides is very valuable.”

He’s right, Bellinger could’ve been a nominee in multiple positions. Though he spent majority of his time in right field, he also played 36 games at first base and 25 games in center field, on top of his 115 in right field.

He’s the eighth Dodgers outfielder to win a Gold Glove, and the first to do it since both Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier won the award during the 2011 season.

Earlier in the week, Bellinger was the recipient of two Fielding Bible Awards, becoming the first player in MLB history to win multiple in one season. He won one for right field, as well as another for his “multi-position excellence.”

Baseball Info Solutions (BIS) are voted on by a panel of experts. This is the 14th season BIS has honored the best defensive players in Major League Baseball.

Here are some of his best defensive plays of the season

Your 2019 Gold Glove winners