Dodgers call up top prospect Cody Bellinger, will make debut Tuesday
The wait appears to be over for one of the game's brightest prospects.
The Los Angeles Dodgers announced Tuesday they have called up first baseman Cody Bellinger. The 21-year-old entered the season ranked 10th in MLB Pipeline's list of the top 100 prospects of 2017. Additionally, he's slotted as the Dodgers' best position prospect and ranked No. 1 among young first basemen.
Bellinger will bat eighth in the lineup and start in left field Tuesday night against the San Francisco Giants.
The move appears to correspond with outfielder Joc Pederson's injury, who was placed on the 10-day disabled list on Monday. Although primarily a first baseman, Bellinger does have experience in both center and left field, having appeared in a combined 62 games at the position throughout his minor-league career.
A fourth-round draft pick in 2013, Bellinger's stock has risen significantly in recent years. Widely regarded for his work with the glove at first base, the top prospect has drawn rave reviews for his upside at the plate.
After clubbing 26 home runs between Double-A and Triple-A in 2016, Bellinger continued his hot streak this season, slashing .343/.429/.627 with five home runs and 15 RBIs in Triple-A this year.