Best Cody Bellinger Plays From 2019 NL MVP Season: No. 6, Getting The Best Of Braves' Ronald Acuña Jr.

Cody Bellinger was widely considered a lock fo National League MVP through much of the first half of the 2019 season. However, as the Los Angeles Dodgers All-Star began to experience some regression, the door opened for other candidates.

Bellinger’s primary competition came from Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich, who of course was last year’s MVP. Washington Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon also entered into the conversation as he helped spark a midseason turnaround.

The three wound up NL MVP finalists and the likes of Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. remained on the periphery. Acuña wound up finishing fifth in MVP voting and throughout the year saw firsthand how much of an impact Bellinger can have.

As DodgerBlue.com continues to rank the best highlights from Bellinger’s MVP season, No. 6 recognizes his highlight reel that came at Acuña’s expense. It began May 8 when Bellinger made a diving catch to rob the Braves’ dynamic outfielder of an extra-base hit.

Hakuna Matata. It means no worries. pic.twitter.com/ziV7hua6Xj

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) May 8, 2019

Making the catch all the more impressive was it came a handful of days after Bellinger dislocated his right shoulder on a diving play at first base. The Dodgers at that point decided they would primarily keep him in the outfield in effort to safeguard against the injury.

Months later, with Bellinger playing center field, he made a shoestring catch to again take a hit away from Acuña.

Give Cody Bellinger a Gold Glove pic.twitter.com/T248wDkEcB

— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) August 18, 2019

Acuña attempted to return the favor the following day but he was unable to corral the ball on his leap at the wall in center field, resulting in a three-run home run for Bellinger.