It feels like it was just yesterday that Cody Bellinger was the face of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
You know the look: the dynamic center fielder, the MVP trophy from 2021, and that smooth, effortless swing.
But if we’re being real honest, the last two years were a total nightmare for fans and Bellinger himself.
He went from elite to average, then to bad, and almost to unplayable.
However, watching him this season has been different.
Like, really different. Oddly enough,
The narrative isn’t about the slump anymore; it’s about the comeback.
From what I’ve seen on the field and in the analytics data, Bellinger has fundamentally shifted his approach at the plate.
He isn’t just chasing the ball anymore; he’s hitting the ball.
This article is going to break down exactly what he changed, why it matters for his contract, and what we can expect next.
Honestly, seeing a player work this hard to get back to form is kind of inspiring, even if you aren’t a Dodger fan.
The Great Collapse: Why Did It Happen?
Let’s rewind to 2022.
It was ugly.
Really ugly.
His strikeout rate was through the roof, and his power numbers were tanking.
Most analysts blamed a mechanical flaw—specifically a hitch in his swing that killed his launch angle.
But looking deeper, it wasn’t just mechanics.
It was confidence. Here’s the interesting part.
When you’re 0-for-20, the mental game takes over.
You stop trusting your eyes and start trying to force hits.
I think most people overlooked how much of that slump was actually mental.
When you’re a young star and you drop off a cliff, the pressure is immense.
It’s hard to stay relaxed when you know every at-bat is being scrutinized by national media.
But Bellinger didn’t fold.
He went back to the drawing board, which brings us to the current state of his game.
Fixing the Swing: What He Actually Changed
If you watch his swing now compared to 2022, it looks smoother.
Less violent, more controlled.
He shortened his stride a bit.
That sounds simple, right? But in baseball, that is the difference between making contact and looking foolish. Now think about that for a second.
He’s utilizing a more level bat path, which helps him handle breaking balls better.
It reminds me of when a pro golfer changes their stance slightly to fix a slice.
It looks small, but the results are massive.
The exit velocity is back up, and he’s driving the ball into the gaps more often. Here’s the interesting part.
He’s still working on plate discipline—sometimes he still gets too pull-happy—but the core of his offensive game is undeniably back.
Looking at the Numbers: 2024 Season Stats So Far
- Slugging Percentage: .450+ (Up from .292 in 2022)
- On-Base Percentage: .360 (Improving weekly)
- Strikeout Rate: Dropping steadily
These numbers are encouraging, sure.
But raw stats don’t tell the whole story.
It’s about the quality of contact.
He’s not just hitting singles; he’s finding gaps.
That’s what makes a lineup dangerous.
He makes the defense work.
But there’s a catch.
The Big Question: What’s Next for His Contract?
This is the million-dollar question, literally. Here’s the interesting part.
Bellinger is set to become a free agent after the season.
The Dodgers obviously want him back, but at what price? Last year, he looked like a rental.
This year, he looks like an asset.
If he maintains this pace through the All-Star break, he could command a deal similar to the one he signed in 2019.
There’s a lot of chatter in the league about his defensive skills too.
His arm is still a cannon, but his range has taken a slight step back.
Still, playing Gold Glove defense and hitting .280 with 20 homers is a pretty solid package for a team.
It’s going to be interesting to see if the Dodgers can match what other teams are offering.
Final Thoughts on His Future
I’m rooting for him, mostly because I hate seeing a good player struggle that hard for so long.
It takes guts to completely overhaul your swing in the middle of your prime.
He’s proving that last year wasn’t the end of the road, just a really, really long detour.
If you’re looking to get into the swing of things and support your favorite players, I found some great gear on Fanatics that captures that classic Bellinger energy.
It’s a small way to support the guys we watch so hard.
Where do you see him finishing the season? Do you think he re-signs with LA or moves to a new team? Let me know in the comments.
This season is just getting interesting.
Image source: pexels.com
Image source credit: pexels.com
