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MLB Top-10 Center Fielders Right Now: Cody Bellinger Ranked By The Shredder For 2022

Blake Williams
3 Min Read
Gary A. Vasquez/USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Dodgers’ Cody Bellinger was ranked as the No. 8 center fielder in baseball by MLB Network’s The Shredder heading into the 2022 season.

The Shredder ranked players by focusing on a three-year sample, with the 2021 season weighed more heavily. Both WAR and wRC+ among notable statistics factored in, while Statcast metrics are also part of the evaluation. Center field defense is also weighed more heavily than for other positions as one of the premium defensive spots on the field.

Bellinger has been ranked by The Shredder in five consecutive seasons, but after being No. 2 from 2019-21, the six-spot drop reflects the struggles he went through last year.

MLB Network’s analysts Sarah Langs and Vinnie Gennaro also ranked Bellinger eighth, while Mike Petriello had him 10th.

Last season, the 2019 National League MVP dealt with a fractured left fibula, hamstring trouble and non-displaced fracture in his left ribs. All of which contributed to Bellinger hitting just .165/.240/.302 over 95 games.

Bellinger did show some hope in October when he batted .353/.436/.471 with one double, one home run and seven RBI in 12 games as one of the Dodgers most productive postseason hitters.

Bellinger was encouraged by his late season turnaround during the 2021 postseason and believes he can learn from the struggles he faced throughout the season.

“Towards the end I really dialed in what made my good and why I’m good. Just try to go from there and keep learning and adjusting,” Bellinger recently said.

“It was a grind last year, to say the least. But it’s in the past. Like I’ve said, it’s been a huge learning curve the past few years. As I’m hitting in batting practice right now, I feel good, I feel strong, feel compact. I focused a lot on my shoulder, a lot on stabilizing my body and getting it strong. I’m feeling good.”

In his career, the 26-year-old has batted .257/.346/.511 with 133 home runs, a 124 wRC+, .355 wOBA and 15.7 WAR in 601 games played.

The Shredder 2022 rankings for center field

RankThe ShredderMike PetrielloSarah Langs Vince Gennaro
1Mike Trout (Angels)Mike Trout (Angels)Mike Trout (Angels)Mike Trout (Angels)
2George Springer (Blue Jays)Luis Robert (White Sox)Byron Buxton (Twins)Starling Marte (Mets)
3Byron Buxton (Twins)George Springer (Blue Jays)Luis Robert (White Sox)Cedric Mullins (Orioles)
4Bryan Reynolds (Pirates)Bryan Reynolds (Pirates)Starling Marte (Mets)Luis Robert (White Sox)
5Luis Robert (White Sox)Cedric Mullins (Orioles)Bryan Reynolds (Pirates)Byron Buxton (Twins)
6Starling Marte (Mets)Starling Marte (Mets)George Springer (Blue Jays)George Springer (Blue Jays)
7Cedric Mullins (Orioles)Byron Buxton (Twins)Cedric Mullins (Orioles)Bryan Reynolds (Pirates)
8Cody Bellinger (Dodgers)Harrison Bader (Cardinals)Cody Bellinger (Dodgers)Cody Bellinger (Dodgers)
9Ramón Laureano (Athletics)Trent Grisham (Padres)Harrison Bader (Cardinals)Harrison Bader (Cardinals)
10Adam Duvall (Braves)Cody Bellinger (Dodgers)Trent Grisham (Padres)Ramón Laureano (Athletics)

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Blake Williams is a journalist from Reseda, Calif., who is currently the Managing Editor for Dodger Blue. He previously worked as a Managing Editor for Angels Nation, as a staff writer at Dodgers Nation, as the Managing Editor and Sports Editor for the Roundup News at L.A. Pierce College, and as an Opinion Editor for the Daily Sundial at California State University, Northridge. Blake graduated Cum Laude from CSUN with a major in journalism and a minor in photography/video. He is now pursuing his master's degree from the University of Alabama. Blake is also always open to talk Star Wars with you. Contact: Blake@mediumlargela.com