Dodgers' Bellinger: 'I belong' in big leagues despite impending demotion
As far as problems go, having too many good players must rank among the least dire. And, thanks to some outstanding play from top prospect Cody Bellinger, Los Angeles Dodgers skipper Dave Roberts is facing just that.
After earning a promotion just eight games ago with Joc Pederson sidelined with a groin injury, Bellinger has slashed .345/.406/.655 in his first 32 major-league plate appearances. With Pederson already starting his rehab assignment though, Bellinger's future with the big club is uncertain.
The original plan seemed to be to demote Bellinger back to Triple-A Oklahoma, with a reunion back into the majors shortly down the road.
"There was nothing set in stone," Roberts told Andy McCullough of the Los Angeles Times. "Obviously, things can change. Anyone who has followed our club over the last year-and-a-half can see that things change daily. Or hourly."
The 21-year-old Bellinger - currently ranked as the 10th-best prospect by MLB.com - seems to have plans of his own though, saying "yeah, I think I belong," to reporters following Tuesday's game.
Whether the Dodgers can make room for both Bellinger and Pederson on their roster remains to be seen. However, making room for both of them in the batting lineup is an even more complicated issue - especially considering they both bat from the same side of the plate.
In his short tenure, Bellinger has already eclipsed Pederson's season total in home runs in 27 fewer plate appearances. Also, despite being a natural first baseman, there is some belief that Bellinger is a good defensive outfielder as well.
With Pederson's rehab assignment started this past Monday, time is short for the Dodgers to make a decision regarding the future of Bellinger on the roster. Lying in the balance could be the playing time of left-handed batter Andrew Toles - one of the Dodgers' better defensive outfielders.
Either way, Bellinger has made a good impression at the top level, and the Dodgers find themselves in an enviable position: having an overabundance of talent.