Top Prospect Cody Bellinger Can Be Big Part of Dodgers' Offensive Cure

For all the trades the Los Angeles Dodgers did (and mostly didn't) make last offseason, the biggest addition to their 2016 lineup was a guy they already had.

It's nice when you hold onto your prized prospects, especially ones who end up winning prizes such as National League Rookie of the Year. The Dodgers have a history of winning those in bunches—four straight in the late 1970s and early 1980s, five straight from 1992 through 1996—so perhaps we should be looking for the next one after Corey Seager won it last season.

Maybe they'll find a way to give Cody Bellinger a chance.

Bellinger is the Dodgers' star-in-waiting, the 21-year-old kid who homered 56 times over the last two minor league seasons. He jumped from 32nd to 13th on MLB.com's recently released list of baseball's top prospects, with an estimated time of arrival of 2017. ESPN.com's Keith Law is even more excited, putting Bellinger sixth on his top prospects list, but he's unsure of when Bellinger will be called up to the majors.

Given Bellinger's position (first base) and the fact he bats left-handed, his uncertain timetable is understandable. The Dodgers already have a quality incumbent first baseman (Adrian Gonzalez), and they're loaded with left-handed hitters.

In fact, when the Dodgers decided against re-signing Chase Utley as their primary second baseman and instead traded for Logan Forsythe in January, part of the reasoning was that Utley bats left-handed while Forsythe, a right-handed batter, has an .818 career OPS against left-handed pitchers.

Bellinger had a .927 OPS against lefties in 2016, but that was in the minor leagues. He hasn't played in the big leagues yet, and it's not yet clear how soon he'll get that chance.

Don't be surprised if it comes this year. And don't be surprised if once the chance comes, Bellinger forces the Dodgers to keep playing him.

They've already had him work in the outfield the last two years after playing him solely at first base in his first two seasons in the minors. He still hasn't played out there a lot, but Bellinger started games in left field, center field and right field at Double-A Tulsa.

He wouldn't be the first big-time prospect to change positions on his way to the major leagues.

Before Manny Machado of the Baltimore Orioles became an All-Star (and Gold Glove) third baseman, he was a shortstop blocked by J.J. Hardy. Before Alex Bregman of the Houston Astros came to the big leagues and started games at third base and second base, he was a shortstop blocked by Carlos Correa.

If the need and talent is there, you find a fit. You find a way to make it work.

Harry How/Getty Images

The talent is definitely there with Bellinger, with the disclaimer that prospects develop at their own pace and you can't be sure they're ready for the major leagues until they get there and succeed.

MLB.com ranks Bellinger as the best power prospect in baseball, and his improved command of the strike zone—his walk total rose in 2016, while his strikeout total fell—suggests overall improvement.

MLB.com also put Bellinger on its prospect All-Defense Team. While that was based on his play at first base, it also suggests he has athleticism that will translate well to the majors.

So what about the need?

That depends, because Bellinger isn't going to get a chance right away. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told Ken Gurnick of MLB.com he expects "an intense competition" for outfield spots this spring. Roberts mentioned seven options, none of whom were Bellinger, but almost none of them are anywhere close to a sure thing.

Can Andrew Toles build on last year's surprise showing? Can Yasiel Puig finally turn ability into consistent production? Andre Ethier, anyone?

Aside from Joc Pederson, who hit 25 home runs in 2016, the Dodgers had just 48 homers from the rest of their outfielders combined last year. It's not hard to construct a scenario where their outfield isn't producing, the overall offense is suffering and they take a chance on Bellinger.

It's not hard to imagine a storyline where he takes advantage of it, where Bellinger gives the Dodgers the type of boost Seager did a year ago.

It would be better than making a trade.

Danny Knobler covers Major League Baseball as a national columnist for Bleacher Report.

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