Cody Bellinger finally made his debut with the Bronx Bombers, nearly two months after the Yankees and Cubs announced one of the most notable trades of the MLB offseason, when the former National League MVP was traded from Chicago to New York.
Bellinger, who will be stepping in for Juan Soto in the Yankees lineup, took his first batting practice session on the opening day of spring training in Tampa, Florida. The 29-year-old slugger looked strong at the plate, sending several baseballs soaring.
After losing his groove during his last three seasons with the Dodgers, between 2020 and 2022, Belli had a major comeback after joining the Cubs on a one-year deal. He posted an impressive .307/.356/.525 slash line with 26 home runs and 20 stolen bases in 130 games, earning him the National League Comeback Player of the Year award in 2023.
In the last two seasons, Cody Bellinger seems to have transformed into a hitter more focused on contact rather than being the power threat he was at the start of his career.
With the Yankees, he will aim to regain that All-Star and MVP caliber he held in his early years with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Expectations for Bellinger are high, especially after the big void left by Juan Soto, who was the best partner captain Aaron Judge ever had.