Dodgers Rumors: Five Dodgers who could break out in 2017

Cody Bellinger – First Base

Bellinger foreshadowed his future in a Dodgers uniform with a titanic blast early in spring training. That picturesque left-handed swing produced 56 home runs over the course of his two-year rise from single-A Rancho Cucamonga to AAA Oklahoma City. Bellinger had an unfathomable 1.947 OPS in his brief stint at Oklahoma City, slamming three home runs in his three games on the farm. With this, Bellinger is being heralded as the seventh-best prospect in baseball.

Despite the moonshot early in the spring, it is too early to clear out a locker at Dodger Stadium for the progeny of former Yankee Clay Bellinger.  Hitting at a .196 clip, Bellinger has struggled to catch up to big league fastballs while adjusting to terrific off-speed pitches. He is slated to begin the season back at Oklahoma City despite his seemingly limitless potential.

Adrian Gonzalez is expected to play 140 games at first base this season. Thus, it is beneficial for Bellinger – and the Dodgers – to ensure regular at-bats for the young prospect. He will continue to hone his craft in the minor leagues, but will more than likely reach the major leagues this summer.

If not at first base, it may happen in the outfield, as the deceptively rangy big man grew up as an outfielder and has seen playing time there under the discerning eye of Dodgers manager Dave Roberts.

Whether first base or the outfield, Dodgers fans are excited to see his power first hand in Chavez Ravine, hopefully, in the near future.