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Cody Bellinger Meeting With Dodgers Hitting Coaches To Work On Approach

Matt Borelli
2 Min Read
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Dodgers made wholesale changes to their coaching staff this offseason, most notably hiring former Arizona Diamondbacks hitting strategist Robert Van Scoyoc to replace previous hitting coach Turner Ward, who assumed the same position with the Cincinnati Reds.

Moreover, Brant Brown was promoted to hitting strategist while Aaron Bates joined the organization as an assistant hitting coach.

With the moves come an anticipated change in hitting philosophy for the Dodgers. Van Scoyoc, 32, has been credited with elevating the careers of Boston Red Sox designated hitter J.D. Martinez and Chris Taylor despite his unorthodox coaching methods.

Van Scoyoc preaches the importance of launch angle, which has become mainstream throughout Major League Baseball in recent seasons. It’s a shift from the more conventional teachings of Ward, who nevertheless enjoyed success during his three-year stint as Dodgers hitting coach.

One player looking to make changes at the plate is Cody Bellinger, and he evidently wants to get a head start on the matter as he’s expected to meet with Dodgers hitting coaches, via Andy McCullough of the L.A. Times:

Bellinger burst onto the scene as a rookie in 2017, earning unanimous National League Rookie of the Year honors after setting a plethora of records during the regular season.

He looked to replicate that success in his sophomore campaign, but saw his power numbers decline over his first full season of Major League action. In 162 games, Bellinger hit .260/.343/.470 with 28 doubles, seven triples, 25 home runs and 76 RBI over 632 plate appearances.

While those numbers equated to above-league average production, Bellinger is clearly looking for a more consistent approach in 2019.

Matt Borelli covers the Los Angeles Dodgers as a staff writer for Dodger Blue and holds similar responsibilities for Lakers Nation, a sister site with an emphasis on the Los Angeles Lakers. He also contributes to RamsNewswire.com and RaidersNewswire.com. An avid fantasy sports player, Matt is a former 2014 MLB Beat the Streak co-champion. His favorite Dodgers moment, among a list of many, is Clayton Kershaw's no-hitter against the Colorado Rockies in 2014. Follow him on Twitter: @mcborelli.