Yankees' Cody Bellinger already feeling at home in pinstripes

USA Today

20-02-2025

Yankees' Cody Bellinger already feeling at home in pinstripes
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Cody Bellinger during live BP at Yankees' camp
Cody Bellinger during live BP at Yankees' camp, Feb. 18, at Steinbrenner Field.
TAMPA, Fla. – On display during live batting practice, Cody Bellinger has occasionally unleashed the left-handed power swing that is built for Yankee Stadium.
Where the same dimensions exist here at Steinbrenner Field, it's easier to imagine how those long fly balls can conquer the famously short right field porch.
'He pulls the ball in the air, which will serve him well in our park,'' said Yankees manager Aaron Boone. 'I'm excited to see what he does.
'I think he makes us a lot better in so many ways."
Cody Bellinger's comfort level in pinstripes
Just watching Bellinger operate in the early days of Yankees camp, it feels like he's been in pinstripes for a long while.
After all, his father, Clay, was a valuable utility player on three pennant-winning Yankee teams – including two world champions – from 1999-2001.
Bellinger was five when the Yankees won the 2000 World Series against the Mets, so, 'I actually have more memories of the minor leagues, being the bat boy, shagging batting practice,'' he says of his recalling his father's playing career.
Through home videos, Bellinger can better recall those times, but he's firmly rooted in the pinstriped present.
'I think we're all excited and we're all hungry,'' said Bellinger, adding that his early arrival to camp was 'pretty important to me.
And it was natural to picture Bellinger as a Yankee trade target once Juan Soto bolted to the Mets in free agency and the Chicago Cubs traded for Houston's Kyle Tucker.
Eight days before Christmas, the Yankees sent right-hander Cody Poteet to the Cubs for Bellinger, who could be a free agent next winter if the Yanks pass on his $25 million option for 2026.
That's an easy decision if Bellinger, 29, resembles his form in 2023, when he batted .307 with an .881 OPS, 26 homers and 97 RBI in 130 games.
More: Jasson Dominguez's motivation at Yankees camp: 'Be the player everyone expects me to be'
Last year in 130 games, Bellinger slipped to a .266 average, .751 OPS, 18 homers and 78 RBI, but his strikeout totals have shrunk since his Los Angeles Dodgers days.
'He's in the prime of his career, and he's been through a lot,'' said Boone, referencing Bellinger's production nosedive after 2019 MVP season with L.A., due in part to a shoulder injury.
'I expect him to be really good,'' said Boone. 'But the ceiling is high, too.''
So, too, are expectations, in this Soto-less Yankees lineup.
There's potentially better balance in the 2025 Yanks' batting order – though you wonder if Giancarlo Stanton's elbow tendinitis situation might delay his start and impact his season.
But there's no replacing Soto's dynamic offensive presence and 'generational talent,'' as Bellinger put it.
Cody Bellinger's place in the Yankees' lineup
Bellinger could emerge as the Yankees' No. 3 hitter, behind the reigning AL MVP Aaron Judge, though Boone hasn't completely revealed his ideal lineup design.
'Wherever they think is best'' is fine with Bellinger, adding that Judge 'is one of the best players in the game, and the guys around him, they'll benefit because of how spectacular a player he is.''
Bellinger has found himself in live hitting groups with Judge, interacting like old teammates, while comparing notes as hitters.
During his latter period with Los Angeles, 'I lost my approach, lost my mechanics a little bit,'' said Bellinger. 'Those are recipes for disaster in this game.''
At Wrigley Field, Bellinger built back his confidence, became more aware of his swing mechanics, and feels he can now build off 'two pretty good seasons'' in Chicago.
'I expect more out of myself,'' said Bellinger. 'That's what I'm here for."
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