Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
At only 17-years old, Hamilton High School first baseman Cody Bellinger got the call of a lifetime. The Los Angeles Dodgers picked the left-hander with the 124th selection in MLB’s first Year Player Draft.
The youngster, although a long way from the Chavez Ravine, is a baseball lifer. He played in the Little League World Series in 2007 and has no doubt spent many hours around a major league clubhouse with his father. Bellinger is the son of a former major league player, Clay Bellinger, and has tremendous upside should he sign right away with the blue crew. He is committed to Oregon if he decides to go to school.
At 6-foot-4 and 180 lbs, the lanky first baseman has a lot of filling out to do. But, the Dodgers’ scouts like his easy, sweet swing and believe with added body weight, he could increase his power significantly.
Defensively, Bellinger is described as advanced and having great range. His height is a tremendous asset, and his footwork is already there. The left-hander also pitches. His fastball has been clocked in the low 90s and he is said to have other pitches in his arsenal.
The Dodgers, however, like him at first base. Even though pitchers hit in the NL, his swing is too good and natural to just be used every fifth day. Developing that swing to get more power would be the order of the day for Bellinger if he reports to the Ogden Raptors, L.A.’s rookie affiliate in Utah.
Kenny Bristow is a Los Angeles Dodgers writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @kennybristow, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google
