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3 Reasons Cody Bellinger Will Repeat as NL MVP in 2020

By Jerry Trotta

Los Angeles Dodgers MVP Cody Bellinger
Los Angeles Dodgers MVP Cody Bellinger / John McCoy/Getty Images

Cody Bellinger was otherworldly for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2019, slugging his way to being crowned the NL MVP in just his third season in the MLB. The 24-year-old outfielder slashed .305/.406/.629 with a 1.035 OPS, 47 home runs, 115 RBI, 121 runs scored, and 9.0 WAR.

Though those are spectacular tallies, it's really only fair to assume that Bellinger will only continue to get better.

Here are a few reasons Belli will bomb his way to another NL MVP crown in 2020.

3. Move to Center Field

The Los Angeles Angels introduce free agent acquisition Anthony Rendon
The Los Angeles Angels introduce free agent acquisition Anthony Rendon / Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images

With Mookie Betts in town, Dave Roberts said that center field duties will officially belong to Cody Bellinger. After earning a Gold Glove for his defensive efforts in 2019, Belli has now moved to the most important position in the outfield. Now, we'll get to see his full defensive range, and the shift could see him gain some additional WAR, a stat we all know MVP voters adore.

2. Mookie Betts is in Town

Mookie Betts in his Dodgers uniform for the first time
Mookie Betts in his Dodgers uniform for the first time / Christian Petersen/Getty Images

The mind-boggling concept from Bellinger's brilliant 2019 season is the fact that pitchers tried to pitch around him as much as they could. The Dodgers lineup was already stacked. Now, they've added Mookie Betts and haven't lost any major pieces. If we know anything about Betts, is that he LOVES working the count. In other words, Bellinger will have even more pitches to feast on this upcoming season.

1. He'll Be Playing Angry

The Houston Astros moments after winning the 2017 World Series at Dodger Stadium
The Houston Astros moments after winning the 2017 World Series at Dodger Stadium / Jerritt Clark/Getty Images

We know what you're thinking: playing angry doesn't always work in the benefit of professional athletes. This, however, is an entirely different type of rage. By now, you've probably stumbled across Bellinger's poetic rant on the Astros' tainted world championship from 2017. The Dodgers superstar didn't mince words. He'll be out for revenge in 2020, and mark our words: it will be a sight to behold.