Career Timeline of Cody Bellinger: Major Achievements and Milestones
Discover the career path of Cody Bellinger, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
Cody Bellinger is a professional baseball outfielder and first baseman currently playing for the New York Yankees in MLB. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2013 and made his MLB debut with them in 2017. He has also played for the Chicago Cubs.
1913: Dodger Intentionally Walked
On April 25, 2017, Bellinger was the third Dodger since 1913 to be intentionally walked in his MLB debut.
1956: Dodger Intentionally Walked
On April 25, 2017, Bellinger was the third Dodger since 1913 to be intentionally walked in his MLB debut. Chico Fernández did so in 1956.
1963: Dodger Intentionally Walked
On April 25, 2017, Bellinger was the third Dodger since 1913 to be intentionally walked in his MLB debut. Dick Nen did so in 1963.
1978: Fastest to Four Multi-HR Games Record
On June 13, 2017, Bellinger became the fastest player in MLB history to record four multi-home run games in 45 contests, breaking the previous record set by Bob Horner with 63 games in 1978.
2003: Miguel Cabrera NLCS Home Run
In the 2017 National League Championship Series (NLCS), Cody Bellinger became the youngest player to homer in a Championship Series game since Miguel Cabrera did so in Game 7 of the 2003 NLCS.
2004: Consecutive Multi-HR Games
On June 13, 2017, Cody Bellinger was the first Dodger to have consecutive multi-home run games since Adrián Beltré in 2004.
2008: Total Bases Record
In April 2019, Cody Bellinger lifted to 88 total bases by the end of the month, three more than Chase Utley's 2008 record and the most of any batter in the live-ball era.
2013: Drafted by Dodgers
In 2013, Cody Bellinger was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the fourth round of the MLB Draft and chose to sign with them, foregoing his commitment to play college baseball for the Oregon Ducks.
2013: Dodgers Draft
In 2013, Cody Bellinger was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the fourth round of the MLB draft.
2014: Change to Batting Stance
During the 2014-15 offseason, Bellinger changed his batting stance to become a power hitter, incorporating a hand and wrist movement into his "load phase".
2015: Joins Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
In 2015, Cody Bellinger joined the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, becoming a mid- and postseason all-star and helping the team to a California League championship title.
2015: Full Season in Minor Leagues
The 2015 season was Cody Bellinger's first full year in the minor leagues, playing for the Class A-Advanced Rancho Cucamonga Quakes and helping them to a Cal League championship title.
2016: Season with Tulsa Drillers
In 2016, Cody Bellinger opened the season with the Double-A Tulsa Drillers, dealt with a strained hip, and later was promoted to the Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers.
April 2017: Call-Up to Major Leagues
In April 2017, Cody Bellinger was called up to the major leagues to bolster a struggling Dodgers outfield.
April 25, 2017: MLB Debut
On April 25, 2017, Cody Bellinger was called up and made his MLB debut with the Dodgers, recording his first major league hit.
2017: Call-Up to Los Angeles
Cody Bellinger began the 2017 season with Oklahoma City, but received a call-up to Los Angeles after 18 games.
2017: All-Star Game and Rookie of the Year
In 2017, Cody Bellinger participated in the MLB All-Star Game and was named the National League (NL) Rookie of the Year.
2017: MLB Postseason
In the 2017 MLB postseason, Cody Bellinger set an MLB record with 29 strikeouts, and won the NL Rookie of the Year Award after the Dodgers fell to the Houston Astros in the World Series.
2018: Batting Adjustments
During the 2018-19 offseason, Bellinger made further changes to his batting stance, including a more relaxed position at the plate. In response to concerns about his stance during the 2018 season.
2018: NL West Title and NLCS MVP
In 2018, Cody Bellinger helped the Dodgers capture the NL West title and was named the NLCS MVP, though his performance in the World Series was limited.
2018: NLCS MVP
In 2018, Cody Bellinger was named the MVP of the National League Championship Series (NLCS) after helping the Dodgers reach the World Series.
2018: Second Season Performance
In the 2018 MLB season, Cody Bellinger hit the first home run of the season and played in all 162 regular-season games.
April 2019: MLB Leader and Record-Breaking Home Run
By the end of April 2019, Cody Bellinger led MLB in several categories and broke Matt Kemp's record for the most single-season home runs of any Dodger through April.
2019: Signed Contract with the Dodgers
During the 2019-2020 MLB offseason, Bellinger signed an $11.5 million contract with the Dodgers for the 2020 season.
2019: MLB Awards Trifecta
In 2019, Bellinger achieved career highs and received the MVP award, the NL Gold Glove Award, and the NL Silver Slugger Award. He also earned two Fielding Bible Awards and was selected for the All-MLB First Team.
2019: MVP, Silver Slugger, Gold Glove Awards
In 2019, Cody Bellinger received the NL MVP, Silver Slugger, and Gold Glove Awards, as well as his second All-Star selection.
2019: All-Star Game Selection and MVP Candidate
In 2019, Cody Bellinger was a frontrunner for the NL MVP award by the All-Star break. He received his second All-Star game nod and first All-Star start, playing alongside Christian Yelich and Ronald Acuña Jr. He also led MLB in Wins Above Replacement.
2019: First MLB Ejection and 100th Career Home Run
On July 24, 2019, Bellinger received his first MLB game ejection. On August 2, 2019, he hit his 100th career home run, breaking a Dodgers record. He also became the youngest Dodger to hit 40 home runs in a season. His production slowed after the All-Star break, and pitchers began intentionally walking him.
2020: World Series Title
In 2020, Cody Bellinger won his first World Series title with the Dodgers.
2021: Signed Contract with the Dodgers
After the 2020 season, Bellinger signed a one-year, $16.1 million contract with the Dodgers for the 2021 season.
December 14, 2022: Signed with the Chicago Cubs
On December 14, 2022, Bellinger signed a one-year contract with a mutual option for 2024 with the Chicago Cubs.
2022: Lowest On-Base Percentage and Free Agency
In 2022, Bellinger had the lowest on-base percentage among qualified hitters, a .210 batting average, and 150 strikeouts. After the season, the Dodgers non-tendered him, making him a free agent.
2022: Non-Tendered by Dodgers
In 2022, Cody Bellinger was non-tendered by the Dodgers after another down year.
November 3, 2023: Declined Mutual Option and Became a Free Agent
On November 3, 2023, Bellinger declined his mutual option with the Cubs and became a free agent.
February 27, 2024: Re-signed with the Cubs
On February 27, 2024, Bellinger re-signed with the Cubs on a three-year, $80 million contract with opt-out clauses.
December 17, 2024: Traded to the New York Yankees
On December 17, 2024, the Cubs traded Bellinger to the New York Yankees for Cody Poteet.
2024: Traded to Yankees
During the 2024 offseason, Cody Bellinger was traded to the Yankees.
2024: Mutual Option for 2024 with the Chicago Cubs
On December 14, 2022, Bellinger signed a one-year contract with a mutual option for 2024 with the Chicago Cubs.
2025: Exercised Option on Contract for 2025 Season
Bellinger finished the 2024 season with a .266 average, 18 home runs, and 78 RBIs, and exercised the option on his contract for the 2025 season.
