Cody Bellinger hit just .263 with 17 home runs and 44 RBI after the All-Star break last season following a 30-homer, 71-RBI first half. Now single-season splits (not to mention one-fifth of a single season splits) must be taken with a grain of salt, but I'm buying for one reason - the increased contact rate against southpaws.He struck out in almost exactly one quarter of his at bats against lefties in 2017-18, but has only whiffed in 9 of 51 plate appearances against lefties this season. (You can read up on the K/BB Multiplier Well, so far this year, Bellinger has gone and posted K and BB rates over a full standard deviation better than league average, giving him a K/BB Multiplier of 1.28. That will change as he ages, and he could wind up batting half of .346 on the ground if he doesn't learn to keep the infielders honest.Bellinger has posted a 256 Unadjusted Contact Score (based on actual results) on balls in play this season. May He Rest In Peace. The 6'4", 203, lefty runs like a gazelle, to the extent that he has been able to play a capable center field at the game's highest level.The speed is nice, but long term, this is a power guy who will play power positions like first base and right field. From your biggest fan – a Korean immigrant mom who literally calls you her son. This has enabled him to ramp up his power production while his average launch angle has actually declined from 16.2 degrees in 2018 to 13.2 degrees thus far in 2019. Thank you for this posting!Get all the Best Dodgers stories straight to your Inbox!Don't Miss Any of the Latest Dodgers News, Rumors, and Exclusive Offers!Dodgers Nation is a small business founded and run by Dodger fans born in Los Angeles. by Brook Smith 08/17/2020, 7:00 AM (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo) Los Angeles Dodgers' Cody Bellinger watches his solo home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates duringWith a month-plus of the season already in the books, sample sizes are beginning to accumulate, and we can begin to look at true MVP and Cy Young contenders with a straight face. I combine traditional scouting with cutting-edge analytics to offer a unique perspective on major/minor league and amateur baseball talent evaluation.Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. If there was such a thing as a One-Fifth Pole MVP Award, it would be Cody Bellinger's. Designated hitter duties on Wednesday fall to Cody Bellinger, a second straight night not in center field after starting at first base Tuesday. Dodgers: Cody Bellinger Sends a Gift and Message to His Biggest Fan Of all Cody Bellinger fans in the world, she stands alone. Guys who can reap the good effects of increased launch angles without suffering the nasty side effects become long term stars.Another big driver of Bellinger's incredible start that we shouldn't expect to last is his massive line drive rate.
And this guy is no average ball-striker, so there is much more at stake here.We've already mentioned Bellinger's 2018 pronounced pop up tendency. Who wouldn't? He is an avid Dodgers and Lakers fan, and can be spotted fairly often at Dodger Stadium and Staples Center.What a classy thing to do. Put it this way - an average ball-striker with Bellinger's 2017 K and BB rates would post a 72 wRC+, while one with his 2019 marks would post a 128 wRC+. Not too shabby.Bellinger was selected on the 4th round of the 2013 draft by the Dodgers; he was a solid prospect in the industry's eyes, but wasn't considered a can't miss type. We all saw the flashes from Bellinger, especially in 2017. While I do think his contact quality improvements are real, and that some of the increase will stick, 33.3% would be a pipe dream even for Tony Gwynn.This has never been a problem for Bellinger, but he has made strides in this area as well in 2019. The Man Who Portrayed Jackie Robinson Passed Away On Jackie Robinson Day. Positions: Outfielder and First Baseman Bats: Left • Throws: Left 6-4, 203lb (193cm, 92kg) . In the ninth inning of Game 2 of the 2000 World Series, Bellinger was inserted in left field in place of David Justice.
Today, it's the position players' turn.There are a number of candidates worth discussing, but when you get down to it (especially with Christian Yelich missing a week of action), there isn't really much of a debate. Last year, Josh Hader would make him look ridiculous and get him in short order, while this year, he has already taken him deep and gone toe to toe with the Brewer fireballer in epic, marathon showdowns. Following a series sweep over Anaheim, Los Angeles heads back home for a two-game set with the Mariners. Bryce Harper: Washington Nationals (2012-2018), Philadelphia Phillies (2019-Present) Cody Bellinger: Los Angeles Dodgers (2017-Present) His average grounder exit speed was over a half standard deviation below league average in 2017, over a half standard deviation above in 2018, and is sitting in the average range (at 85.1 MPH) thus far in 2019.His overall average exit speed was over a full standard deviation higher than league average in 2017, over a half standard deviation higher in 2018, and is in the elite range, over two full standard deviations above, at 93.5 MPH in 2019.Bellinger actually hit lefties quite well in 2017 (.271-.335-.568) before falling hard against them in 2018 (.226-.305-.376).