Dodgers outfielder / first baseman Cody Bellinger has been in the big leagues for four seasons. During that time, he was named the 2017 National League Rookie of the Year, named to two NL All-Star teams, was the 2018 NLCS MVP, and in 2019 became the first Dodger to be named NL Most Valuable Player and win Silver Slugger and Gold Glove awards in the same season – baseball’s Triple Crown.

Judging by what we saw in Game-1 of Thursday’s doubleheader against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park, the 25-year-old Scottsdale, AZ native and Dodgers fourth-round draft pick in 2013 out of Hamilton High School in Chandler, AZ, is well on his way to winning his second Gold Glove.

With the Dodgers leading the Giants 1-0 and no outs in the bottom of the first inning and Giants centerfielder Mike Yastrzemski on first base, Giants second baseman Wilmer Flores lined a sure double into the gap in right-center field.

…or so it appeared.

Running at full speed from his defensive position in center field, Bellinger made an impossible backhanded running catch to rob Flores of that double and the Giants of what would have been the game-tying run. Instead, Yastrzemski, who had already rounded second base, had to slam on the brakes, turn around, and retrace his route (including stepping on second base again) and returned to first just in time to avoid being doubled up.

Per Statcast, Bellinger ran 106 feet to make his highlight-reel catch, which had a 40 percent catch probability.

The Dodgers, behind the stellar pitching of Dodgers ace and future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw, would go on to shut out the Giants 7-0. They would also shut out the Giants 2-0 in Game-2 of the twin bill.

Although Bellinger splits his playing time between first base and center field and won his Gold Glove in 2019 in right field, after his insane run-saving (and shutout-saving) catch on Thursday, he has to be among the frontrunners to win another Gold Glove; this one in center field.

Play Ball!

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