Los Angeles Dodgers: Predicting top five home run leaders
By Jason Reed
1. Cody Bellinger – 35 home runs
Going into this slide there were two noticeable exclusions in the list thus far: Cody Bellinger and Justin Turner. And while a lot of readers will be outraged that Turner is not on this list, we have to talk about why first.
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Look, we still think that Turner is going to have a great 2019 campaign, will hit in the .320-.330s and will provide some pop in his bat. However, we do not think that he is going to leave the yard as frequently. His power numbers already took a dip in 2018 (14 home runs in 103 games) and is not going to best Hernandez’ 21 for the fifth spot.
Heck, while Turner is as clutch as it gets and is the best pure hitter on the Dodgers, he has never been much of a power hitter. His career high is 27 and he his next best is 21; those are his only two seasons with 20 or more home runs.
To expect Turner to hit 20 home runs or fewer in his age 34 season is not unfair.
As for Bellinger, we are going to see his power come back around like a boomerang after falling from grace in his sophomore season from his insane rookie year. This is a natural cycle, pitchers got footage on Bellinger and learned how to beat him.
Now, Bellinger has the footage and experience to know where his holes are and how to counteract them. With as much natural power as he has, these progressions he is going to make are undoubtedly going to lead to a 35 home run season.
Bellinger will be voted to his second all-star game and will be close to the league lead in both home runs and RBIs, we can assure you that.