Dodgers: 5 Reasons the 2017 Dodgers are better than 2016

Bellinger gives the Dodgers a massive upgrade at first base

Adrian Gonzalez has been one of the best first basemen in the National League for most of his career, but he’s now on the downside of his career. Bellinger at first base gives the Dodgers a massive boost offensively. Gonzalez finished with 18 home runs in 2016 and Bellinger already has 34 despite coming up in late April, and there’s still a month and a half left this season.

This year Gonzalez only has one home run and it appears he has lost the thunder he once had in his bat due to neck and back ailments.  While there is still a chance the thunder could return once he’s off the disabled, there aren’t any promising signs suggesting it will for Gonzalez. Bellinger, on the other hand, is just tearing the cover off the ball and is going to set the Dodger record for most home runs by a rookie in the coming weeks.

Bellinger also brings another dimension that Adrian cannot which is speed. Bellinger has eight stolen bases so far and has only been caught stealing twice.  He is very fast for a first baseman which is the opposite of Gonzalez who appears to have weights tied to his legs with how slow he runs the bases. With Adrian on the downside of his career and Cody barely getting started, the Dodgers first base spot is much better this season.