Prospect watch: Dodgers’ Cody Bellinger promotion likely
By Chad Kutzke
The Dodgers highly touted prospect Cody Bellinger could be getting the call a little sooner than expected. He may be in Dodger blue as soon as this week.
The first call up of a top prospect may be coming very shortly. The 9 and 11 Los Angeles Dodgers have been hit hard by the injury bug and are struggling out of the gate. After losing Franklin Guiterrez and Rob Segedin to injuries, Joc Pederson’s right groin strain landed him on the 10 day disabled list yesterday.
The Dodgers offense has been mediocre to start the season and calling up Cody Bellinger, the #10 ranked prospect in baseball, might be the spark they need. There have been a few signs that indicate Bellinger could make his Dodger debut soon.
Bellinger is mainly considered as a first basemen, but the Dodgers have been training him in the outfield. Yesterday, Bellinger got his first start in left field, coincidentally the day of Joc Pederson hit the DL.
Cody Bellinger starting in LF for the first time this season tonight. He has started two games in CF for @okc_dodgers
— David Vassegh (@THEREAL_DV) April 24, 2017
The Dodger’s AAA affiliate had a morning game time today and Bellinger was not in the lineup. This is usually a precursor to a promotion, but could just be a convenient time for the prospect’s first off day of the season.
For the first time all season, Cody Bellinger isn't starting today for OKC (9am PT game), 1st game after Joc Pederson was reevaluated in SF
— Eric Stephen (@ericstephen) April 25, 2017
Through 18 games in AAA Bellinger has lived up to the hype. The top prospect has blasted five home runs, stolen seven bases, and has a 1.055 OPS (On Base plus Slugging percentage). According to MLB.com, Bellinger has the following grades from scouts: 55 hit, 65 power, 45 speed, 70 fielding (at First Base).
For those of you unfamiliar with the numbers I will break down what they mean. Scouts use a 20-80 scale to rank players. A 50 grade is considered average while a 60 grade is considered a “plus” or “above-average”. So, scouts believe Bellinger posses above average hitting skills, with plus-plus power, and the 70 fielding rating reflects Gold Glove potential at First Base.
The only thing holding back Bellinger from his promotion is the MLB’s Super 2 rule. In short, if the Dodgers call up Bellinger now he will have one less year of team controlled, cheap contract (something the Dodgers may not have to worry about). If he doesn’t get the call now, it’ll be in a matter of weeks when Bellinger surpasses Super 2 eligibility.