Bellinger awarded NL Rookie of the Year

No franchise produces incredible rookies quite like the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Dodgers first baseman Cody Bellinger was unanimously named the National League Rookie of the Year on Monday after an astounding campaign, slashing .267/.352/.581 with 39 home runs, 26 doubles, and 97 RBIs. This comes a year after shortstop Corey Seager took home the hardware, also by a unanimous vote.

The 22-year-old Bellinger made his MLB debut April 25 against the San Francisco Giants. His ascendance wasn't immediate, as he recorded only one hit in his first three games.

His second series was different. Hosting the Philadelphia Phillies at Dodger Stadium, Bellinger started an outstanding run, hitting his first two career home runs in a 6-5 victory, and going 5-for-11 over the three games. By the end of May, he was hitting .252/.324/.567 with 11 home runs and 29 RBIs.

While his totals are somewhat less luminous than his American League counterpart, Aaron Judge, Bellinger had plenty of success to hang his hat on:

• He surpassed Wally Berger and Frank Robinson for most home runs by a National League rookie when he hit his 39th of the season in late September. The Dodgers clinched the NL West in the process.
• Led rookies with 11 intentional walks.
• Doubled home the game-winning run in Game 4 of the World Series.
• Became the third-fastest player to reach 30 home runs, doing so in only 87 games.
• Is the first Dodger rookie to hit for the cycle.
• Fastest player to record six multi-home run games

Bellinger actually got better as the year went on, hitting .274/.363/.538 in the second half. Not bad for a player whose call-up was intended to be temporary. Though, as manager Dave Roberts said at the time, nothing is set in stone. Good thing, too, because his season was magical.

He's the 18th Rookie of the Year in Dodgers history, the most of any team.