Area Cody: Rookie hits HRs at historic rate

Statcast of the Day: Bellinger is fastest to 21 big flies

June 20th, 2017

LOS ANGELES -- Dodgers rookie is still trying to wrap his head around his ascension.
Less than two months after being called up, Bellinger had his fifth multihomer game and became the fastest player in history to reach 21 home runs, doing so in his 51st game on Monday night in the Dodgers' 10-6 win over the Mets.
"It's crazy," said Bellinger, who made his big league debut on April 25. "A month and a half ago, if you told me what I was gonna do, I'd probably call you crazy."

Bellinger tied the Yankees' for the fastest to 20 homers with a three-run shot off Zack Wheeler in the first inning, then the 21-year-old first baseman added a solo shot off Wheeler in the second that gave him the National League home run lead.
Bellinger, who finished 3-for-5 with four RBIs, joins Hall of Famer Mike Piazza as the only Dodgers rookies to hit multiple homers in five games.
"His maturity in a lot of different situations he's been in in his young career, he continues to pass the test," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.
Bellinger hit both Monday homers off Wheeler's slider, which has been a rarity. In 12 starts, Wheeler had only yielded one home run (to on May 9) and allowed two barreled balls on that pitch this season.
"It's unbelievable," Mets manager Terry Collins said about Bellinger. "This guy swings the bat, he hits it on the barrel. It's pretty impressive."

The home runs traveled a Statcast™-projected 414 and 410 feet, respectively, and had exit velocities of 108 and 104 mph, respectively, both of which were above average vs. Wheeler's slider. Opponents came into the game 12-for-60 (.200) with a .267 slugging and an average exit velocity of 83.5 mph against Wheeler's slider.
Next on Bellinger's list could be to compete in the Home Run Derby, which takes place in Miami on July 10. For now, he said he hasn't been asked, and Roberts said he'll leave the decision on whether to participate up to Bellinger.
"I think it'd be pretty special," Bellinger said. "My dad has been throwing BP to me my whole life, so I'd have him throw to me and I'd think that would be a cool moment."
Bellinger is the son of Clay Bellinger, who had a 15-year professional career, playing in the Majors with the Yankees and Angels from 1999-2002.