Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Cody Bellinger was a primetime sleeper candidate heading into the 2022 MLB season. And in a lot of ways, he still is. After all, we are just one game into the year as of writing. There is no way that the 2019 MVP can continue to struggle after last year's abysmal .165/.240/.302 showing, right?
People believe in him. Many disregarded his poor Spring Training that saw him hit .139/.162/.139 with no home runs. But Friday's Opening Day performance was indicative of why there might be real concern for Bellinger moving forward. And it stems further than the surface statistics.
Sure, the 0-4 performance will catch your attention. But you had to have watched his at-bats to truly grasp what was happening. Bellinger did not look like a hitter in attack mode, rather, he looked like someone who was hoping not to strike out.
And he didn't strike out once in the Dodgers' 5-3 Opening Day victory over the Colorado Rockies. But his performance was worrisome because he was not taking confident swings. Early in the game, Bellinger hit a little tapper in front of the plate that resulted in an out. He stepped to the plate in the fourth inning with runners in scoring position and popped a weak foul ball to the catcher. Bellinger's at-bats ultimately led to five runners being left on base.
However, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is unwilling to show concern yet, per Yahoo! Sports.
“I’m not reading anything into it. All I know is that he is healthy, and I’m expecting him to have a good year, and to help us win a lot of baseball games.”
Roberts further discussed the matter.
“He’s going to have a runway, which he has earned. I think it’s deserved. And, with what he does in center field, that alone warrants him being in the lineup for a team (with this offense).”
Bellinger, a former Gold Glove winner, is known for his outstanding defensive prowess in center field. And that defense might be his saving grace if he continues to labor with the lumber.
But hopefully, Bellinger turns things around soon. The game is better when he is playing well.
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