Check out these must-see GIFs from Cody Bellinger, the NL Rookie of the Year
At just 22 years old, Dodgers first baseman
He took the National League by storm, and now @Cody_Bellinger is the unanimous @officialBBWAA 2017 NL Rookie of the Year! pic.twitter.com/FKE2hSPAHe
— MLB (@MLB) November 13, 2017
In 2016, Dodgers shortstop
In short, Bellinger had a great rookie season. But it was about more than just the long ball. Here are some of the reasons he took home the award.
Creativity
Bellinger was more than a home run hitter this season. For the second hit of his Major League career, he showed savvy and daring beyond his years by bunting against the shift:
Defense
Although Bellinger spent most of his time at first base, he also started 43 games in the outfield. At both positions, he showed a knack for making catches while leaning over barriers of one sort or another.
But perhaps the greatest example of Bellinger going above and beyond to make a catch came when he took a piggyback ride on
Power
Despite not getting the call to the Majors until April 25 -- nearly a month into the season -- Cody Bellinger set an NL rookie record with 39 home runs. So, yes, he can hit the ball far:
That historic power sent Bellinger to Miami for both the All-Star Game and the Home Run Derby. With his father -- and former Major Leaguer -- Clay Bellinger pitching to him, the younger Bellinger advanced to the second round of the Derby before losing to eventual-champion
What might Bellinger do for an encore in 2018? We'll have to wait and see.
tfw you take home the NL Rookie of the Year. pic.twitter.com/2qPcdexRf0
— Cut4 (@Cut4) November 13, 2017