Dodgers: MLB Calls Cody Bellinger a Top CF In Baseball
Obviously if it weren’t for Mike Trout, Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Cody Bellinger could be considered the best all-around player in the game right now. Truly, that isn’t a stretch after his MVP 2019. Remember, he had a phenomenal rookie campaign in 2017, and now it is 2018 that looks like the outlier year.
Therefore, MLB.com has their top-10 list of center fielders. Bellinger checks in at no. 2 for the second straight season, behind only Mike Trout. When finishing behind one of the greatest players of his generation, it’s no slight to Bellinger.
https://twitter.com/DiamondHoggers/status/1216409817847418880?s=20
First, here’s how MLB.com breaks down their list. They mention Bellinger cracking the second spot once again. As a side note, credit to MLB.com for putting Bellinger no. 2 prior to the 2019 season; when he was coming off an up and down 2018.
In center we find the two 2019 MVP Award winners ranked No. 1 and No. 2, and the top slot goes to the American League winner, Mike Trout. He’s been ranked the top center fielder in the game six straight years, and eight of nine years since he made his debut in 2012. The only year he wasn’t atop the list was 2015, when Andrew McCutchen took the top spot. Cody Bellinger had a monstrous season, and takes the No. 2 spot for the second consecutive year.
[adace-ad id=”118525″]
Furthermore, here’s the top 10 overall list:
CENTER FIELDERS
1) Mike Trout, LAA (Last year: 1)
2) Cody Bellinger, LAD (2)
3) George Springer, HOU (5)
4) Ramón Laureano, OAK (unranked)
5) Whit Merrifield, KC (3, at 2B)
6) Starling Marte, PIT (8)
7) Lorenzo Cain, MIL (3)
8) Aaron Hicks, NYY (4)
9) Brandon Nimmo, NYM (6, at RF)
10) Brett Gardner, NYY (unranked)
Finally, the question remains: what does Bellinger need to do to overcome Trout as the top player in the game? How close is he, and is this something that he can do by the end of 2020? Or in your mind, would it take multiple seasons? Honestly, I feel like with another year like he had in 2020; it’s worthy of a conversation with Trout approaching age-30.
Let us know in the comments below.
Willie Mays was undeniably the best centerfielder and probably the best player in baseball from 1954 till about 1966. Then his skills started to decline. He was about 35 when others started passing him by. And Mantle, Clemente, Snider, Williams, Musial and other HOF players all played during that period. But Willie, a Giant, was the best. Will Cody pass Mike by and become #1? Maybe. But even if Cody maintains his 2019 level of play, Mike may still be #1 for a few more years. And that is not a knock on Cody. To be mentioned in the same breath with Mike Trout is an honor.
1. Cody needs to be more consistent. He’s a great defender and a great hitter but he peaked early last year. Consistency at the plate is the key.