All any sports team wants to do is to try to have a team that can continue to compete, at a championship level, year in and year out. The Los Angeles Dodgers have been in the playoff conversations and World Series hunt for quite some time now. In order to continue their reputation and their hunt for the coveted Trophy, teams sometimes take chances that end up paying off. As they say, no risk, no reward.
Sometimes, situations arise over the course of a season that requires an infusion of fresh passion and young blood back into a team. At this point in the season the Dodgers are sitting in 2nd place (41-26) in the National League West, 1 game behind the Colorado Rockies (43-26).
But at a time when the usual superstars, like Adrian Gonzalez and Joc Pederson, are not performing up to their usual standards (or in Pederson's case) not at all, risks sometimes have to be taken.
Fresh passion and young blood
The Los Angeles Dodgers decided to take that risk on a Top-10 prospect named Cody Bellinger. Bellinger is 21 years old(No that's not a typo, I said 21.) and he's from Chandler, AZ. He was drafted out of high school in 2013 in the 4th round (124th overall). He is bats and throws lefty. Bellinger made his Major League debut on April 25, 2017, 42 days ago. His stats to this point have caught up to the top superstars in baseball, like the Yankees Aaron Judge, in half the playing time.
Judge and Bellinger are ranked one and two in the league, respectively, in home runs and RBI's, just for example.
- 173 at bats
- 34 runs on 44 hits
- 18 home runs
- 40 RBI's
- 4 stolen bases
- Batting average of .254
Sky's the limit
In order to make this signing happen, the Dodgers had to make room for him. Brett Eibner was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City and RHP Gunkel was designated for assignment.
Luckily for the Dodgers, it worked out better than they, or anyone else, could have imagined. There's no telling what the future holds for Bellinger, but he has seized the opportunity by the horns so far. In a league where compliments are earned, he has done his part.
In his short 42 day career, when most 1st baseman aren't complimented on their defensive skills, that is one of his best qualities.
He's a great all around player and not just a slugger who gives no value on the defensive side. MLB.com reported that he would be a "future Gold Glover at 1st base".
Hopefully, for the Dodgers, this young man grows into the superstar he has shown he can be, in 42 days.
