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Cody Bellinger
Time with Dodgers: 2017-current
Stats: .278/.368/.559/.928, 111 HR, 288 RBI, 443 H, 292 R, 88 2B, 144 OPS+
Baseball Reference WAR: 17.3
FanGraphs WAR: 15.4
Combined WAR: 16.35
When Cody Bellinger finishes his career, he could very well be in the Top 10 for this list. He could even be number one. But, with only three years under his belt, he comes in at No. 80 for this countdown.
What can be said that you don’t already know about the 24-year-old? He’s established himself as one of the five best all-around players in the game of baseball. His 2019 season was one for the ages. He was an All-Star for the second time, won his first career Silver Slugger and Gold Glove Award, and was named the National League Most Valuable Player.
His career got off to an electrifying start, as he was named the National League Rookie of the Year back in 2017. He hit 39 home runs and drove in 97, while posting an OPS of .933. He did all of that while missing 30 games of the season. Had he played all 162, who knows how much better his numbers could have been. It was one of the greatest seasons by a rookie not only in Dodgers history, but MLB history.
Bellinger played in 162 games in 2018. His numbers declined, but it was still an overall productive season. He hit 25 home runs and still had an OPS of above .800.
Then, in 2019, Bellinger really took his game to the next level. He finished the season hitting .305, which in hindsight looks great. However, if you ask him, he’s probably disappointed with that number. Through the middle of May, Bellinger was hitting above .400. Obviously he can’t keep up that pace, but he probably wishes he would’ve finished with a higher average.
Bellinger finished with 47 homers, 115 RBI and an OPS higher than 1.000. He had 170 hits, scored 121 runs and led the National League with 351 total bases. The biggest takeaway from Bellinger at the plate was his discipline. He struck out the fewest times during his first three years, and by a wide margin. He was also walking more frequently as well.
In addition to the hot bat, Bellinger was doing it with the glove as well. He took home a Gold Glove for his defense in right field, but honestly could have won one at first base too. Bellinger spent majority of the season in right field, playing 115 games out there. He also added 25 games in center and 36 games at first base.
Bellinger is destined for another MVP-type campaign in 2020, and likely for years to come. As I mentioned earlier, Bellinger very well might be at the top of the list when is Dodgers career is over.