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. Drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2013, he made his MLB debut with them in 2017. He has also played for the Chicago Cubs.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1913: Dodgers Intentionally Walked

Cody Bellinger became the third Dodger since 1913 to be intentionally walked in his MLB debut.

1956: Chico Fernández Intentionally Walked

Cody Bellinger became the third Dodger since 1913 to be intentionally walked in his MLB debut, following Chico Fernández in 1956.

1963: Dick Nen Intentionally Walked

Cody Bellinger became the third Dodger since 1913 to be intentionally walked in his MLB debut, following Dick Nen in 1963.

1978: Bob Horner Record

On June 13, Cody Bellinger became the fastest player in MLB history to record four multi-home run games in 45 contests, breaking the record set by Bob Horner in 1978 with 63 games.

2003: Miguel Cabrera Record

During the 2017 National League Championship Series, Cody Bellinger became the youngest player to homer in a Championship Series game since Miguel Cabrera in 2003.

2004: Adrian Beltre Record

In June, Cody Bellinger became the first Dodger since Adrián Beltré in 2004 to have consecutive multi-home run games.

2013: Drafted by the Dodgers

In 2013, Cody Bellinger was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the fourth round of the MLB draft.

2013: Dodgers Draft & Signing

In 2013, the Los Angeles Dodgers selected Cody Bellinger in the fourth round of the MLB Draft. He signed with the Dodgers, foregoing his commitment to play college baseball for the Oregon Ducks, for a signing bonus of $700,000.

2014: Batting Stance Change

In 2014, Cody Bellinger changed his batting stance during the offseason to become a power hitter. He worked with Shawn Wooten and Damon Mashore to incorporate 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 contributing to the team's California League championship title.

2016: Rookie Career Development Program

During the 2016-17 MLB offseason, Cody Bellinger participated in the MLB/MLBPA Rookie Career Development Program.

2016: Season with Tulsa Drillers and Oklahoma City Dodgers

In 2016, Cody Bellinger began the season with the Double-A Tulsa Drillers. He missed time with a strained hip, but still managed to bat .263 with 23 home runs. He was later promoted to the Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers and played for the Glendale Desert Dogs of the Arizona Fall League.

2016: Hip Injury and Call-Up

In 2016, a hip injury delayed Cody Bellinger's progress. However, he was called up to the major leagues in April 2017.

April 2017: Major League Call-Up

In April 2017, Cody Bellinger was called up to the major leagues to support the struggling outfield.

April 25, 2017: MLB Debut

On April 25, 2017, Cody Bellinger was called up by the Dodgers, making his MLB debut in left field against the San Francisco Giants. He recorded his first major league hit during the game.

2017: Begins with Oklahoma City

Cody Bellinger began the 2017 season with the Oklahoma City Dodgers, batting .343 with five home runs, before being called up to Los Angeles.

2017: Postseason Debut and Strikeout Record

In 2017, Cody Bellinger began his MLB postseason, hitting a home run in the NLDS against the Arizona Diamondbacks, making him the youngest Dodger to hit a postseason home run. He then set an MLB record with 29 strikeouts in a single postseason run, and was named NL Rookie of the Year.

2017: MLB Debut

In 2017, Cody Bellinger debuted with the Los Angeles Dodgers in Major League Baseball.

2017: All-Star Game and Rookie of the Year

In 2017, Cody Bellinger participated in the MLB All-Star Game and Home Run Derby. He was also named the National League Rookie of the Year.

2018: Adjustments to Batting Stance

During the 2018 season, Cody Bellinger made adjustments to his batting stance after concerns that he was "standing too tall and straight-legged" in the batter's box. Further changes were made during the 2018-19 offseason, to incorporate a more relaxed position at the plate and aiming to hit under breaking balls.

2018: NL West Title and NLCS MVP

In 2018, Cody Bellinger hit a go-ahead home run to help the Dodgers capture the NL West title. He was later named NLCS MVP for his impactful hits, but struggled in the World Series, which the Dodgers lost to the Boston Red Sox in five games.

2018: Home Run and Adjustment

In 2018, Cody Bellinger started the season with a home run off of Josh Osich of the Giants, but struggled later, leading to a benching. He adjusted his stance, leading to home runs in four consecutive games. He played in all 162 regular season games, batting .260 with 25 home runs.

2018: NLCS MVP

In 2018, Cody Bellinger was named the MVP of the National League Championship Series after a walk-off single, helping the Dodgers to the World Series.

April 2019: Record Breaking Month

Cody Bellinger had a record-breaking month in April 2019, leading MLB in multiple categories. He broke Matt Kemp's record for most single-season home runs by a Dodger through April and had 88 total bases, breaking Chase Utley's 2008 record. He received his first Player of the Month honors for April 2019.

2019: Record Contract and Offseason Adjustments

During the 2019–2020 MLB offseason, Cody Bellinger signed an $11.5 million contract with the Dodgers for the 2020 season. This contract broke Kris Bryant's record for the largest single-season contract for a player in his first year eligible for arbitration.

2019: First MLB Ejection and 100th Home Run

In 2019, Cody Bellinger received his first MLB game ejection for arguing balls and strikes. He also hit his 100th career home run, breaking Mike Piazza's Dodgers record. Later in the season, he became the first MLB player and youngest Dodger to record his 40th home run of the year. However, his production slowed after the All-Star break, and pitchers began avoiding throwing strikes to him, leading to numerous walks.

2019: MVP, Silver Slugger, Gold Glove Awards

In 2019, Cody Bellinger received the NL MVP, Silver Slugger, and Gold Glove Awards, along with his second All-Star selection.

2019: All-Star Game Nod and MVP Frontrunner

In 2019, Cody Bellinger was a frontrunner for the NL MVP Award along with Christian Yelich by the All-Star break. Bellinger received his second All-Star game nod and his first All-Star start, opening the game in the NL outfield with Yelich and Ronald Acuña Jr. He declined an invitation to the Home Run Derby to rest before the All-Star game.

2020: World Series Championship

In 2020, Cody Bellinger and the Dodgers clinched a playoff berth and swept the Brewers in the National League Wild Card Series. Bellinger's defensive play in the NLDS helped the Dodgers maintain their lead. He hit the go-ahead home run in the NLCS, securing the Dodgers' place in the 2020 World Series, where they defeated the Tampa Bay Rays in six games. It was Bellinger's first World Series championship and the Dodgers' first since 1988.

2020: COVID-19 Season Struggles and Swing Adjustments

In 2020, after the MLB season was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Cody Bellinger focused on tweaking his swing. However, he experienced a slow start and his numbers dropped compared to the previous year, hitting only .239 with 12 home runs in the shortened season. His constant experimentation with his swing was a contributing factor.

2021: Contract Extension with Dodgers

After the 2020 season, Cody Bellinger signed a one-year, $16.1 million contract with the Dodgers for the 2021 season.

December 14, 2022: Signing with the Chicago Cubs

On December 14, 2022, Cody Bellinger signed a one-year contract with a mutual option for 2024 with the Chicago Cubs.

2022: Contract and Performance Struggles

In 2022, Cody Bellinger had the lowest on-base percentage of all qualified hitters in the majors at .265, 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, after another down year, Cody Bellinger was non-tendered by the Dodgers.

July 2023: National League Player of the Month

Cody Bellinger was named the National League Player of the Month for July 2023. He had eight home runs, 24 RBIs, and a .400 batting average over that span.

November 3, 2023: Free Agency

On November 3, 2023, Cody Bellinger declined his mutual option and became a free agent.

February 27, 2024: Re-Signing with the Cubs

On February 27, 2024, Cody Bellinger re-signed with the Chicago Cubs on a three-year, $80 million contract containing opt-out clauses after each of the first two seasons.