Dodgers: The Top of the Lineup is Proving to be a Lethal Force

4. Cody Bellinger

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The final of the top four includes another player that no one expected o contribute at the level he has, at least this early in the season. The rough timeline for Cody Bellinger was for him to make his debut late in 2017, possibly when the rosters expand in September. Imagine this team without Cody Bellinger for at least another month. Wow.

But fate has a way of finding it’s way, and it did so by sidelining Andrew Toles for the season. Toles’ injury gave way for Bellinger to break in the outfield, and then eventually take over at first base full-time for the injured Adrian Gonzalez.

Since his promotion in April, the kid has absolutely raked. He now ranks 2nd in the major league in home runs with thirty over the course of just 88 games. He is on pace to break Mike Piazza’s rookie record for home runs. And to top it all off, the way the team is playing he just may get a shot at a World Series title in his first year in the big leagues.

Bellinger is hitting .268, with essentially no difference between facing left-handed pitching or right-handed. It seems as if no matter who they throw out there, Bellinger finds a way to figure them out and take advantage. Bellinger is very poised for a young hitter. His ability to make adjustments on a daily basis is incredible. His raw power is the missing piece the Dodgers have been missing for coming up on five years now, and I look for him to be the powerhouse in the Dodgers’ lineup for many years to come.

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This season the Dodgers’ lineup has been a combination of star power and unlikely heroes. The club will continue to embrace the “next man up” mentaility. But moving forward one this is certain. These four hitters have solidified their spot in the lineup and Dave Roberts will continue to use these four to anchor the lineup heading into the post season.