Dodgers Team News

Dodgers News: Cody Bellinger Talks About Father’s Impact

Los Angeles Dodgers first base prospect Cody Bellinger had a breakout campaign in 2015, where he hit .264 in High-A ball while slugging 30 home runs, driving in 103 runs, slamming 33 doubles, scoring 97 runs, and even stealing 10 bases. On top of that, he was good defensively, finishing with a .991 fielding percentage.

Over the last couple years, Bellinger has done a solid job of adding weight to his lanky 6’4″ frame, and that’s one of the things that’s going to bode well for him as he progresses through the minor league system. Well, that and the fact that Cody’s father Clay also happened to be a big leaguer.




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From Robert Murray at Baseball Essential dot com:

“He’s taught me all I know,” Bellinger said of his father. “On and off the field, he taught me to play the game with respect.”

This was just one of the highlights from Bellinger’s interview with Murray. The two went on to talk about Bellinger’s diet and nutrition program, how he’s added “good weight” this offseason, and how his father has helped him grow as a player.

Bellinger is a unique prospect, and Murray knows it:

Bellinger, who plays both first base and center field — a rare defensive combination — took a huge step forward in 2015, his first full season in the minor leagues. With the muscle he has added to his 6’4? frame, he seems likely to continue that progression at Double-A this coming season.

That’s the exciting part about all of this. Bellinger changed his approach at the plate in 2015 to become more of a power hitter, but if he’s able to find a perfect balance between power hitter and contact hitter then the Dodgers could have something truly special on their hands.

It does sound like Bellinger will begin the season at Double-A, and hopefully he continues to do amazing things because the team might have a first base spot opening up when Adrian Gonzalez hits free agency after the 2018 season. We’re rooting for you, Cody.

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