SAN DIEGO -- This weekend's series at Petco Park officially marks the start of a Bellinger family rivalry.
That's because earlier this week, Cole Bellinger, brother of slugging Dodgers first baseman Cody Bellinger, signed with the Padres for $350,000.
As a 15th-round Draft pick out of Hamilton High School in Chandler, Ariz., Cole has a long way to go until he's taking part in these rivalry games himself. But Cody's mind has already drifted to the possibility of facing Cole, a right-handed pitcher, in the Majors.
"That would be my top [baseball] moment, just because of how hard it is to get here," Cody said before Friday's game. "To have both of us get this far would be cool."
With a four-year age gap, Cole and Cody have squared off on a baseball field only once before -- in an alumni game at Hamilton. Cody singled.
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On Friday, he joked that he didn't think he'd be able to provide an accurate scouting report, given how little he's seen of Cole over the past four years.
"I know he's extremely intelligent in how he pitches, and he's got really good stuff," Cody said. "So I'm excited for him to learn from professional coaches."
On Thursday, Cody learned he'd been invited to participate in the T-Mobile Home Run Derby on July 10 at Marlins Park. But he's waiting to learn if his father, Clay, will be able to pitch to him before he commits. Clay played parts of four big league seasons with the Yankees and Angels.
Cody, of course, has been on a tear since his big league callup in April. He's leading the National League with 24 home runs, and he's fifth with a .993 OPS.
"As far as the past couple years, being in the Majors, he's definitely helped me realize that's what I want to do," Cole told MLB.com earlier this month. "He's talked to me about how cool it is, but how much hard work it takes. He has hopefully guided me down that path."
Cole, who was previously committed to play at Grand Canyon University, signed with the Padres on Wednesday and has already begun working out at the team's complex in Arizona.
It's the first step in his professional career toward a matchup with his brother in an NL West rivalry game.
"He's a few years away," Cody said. "But to do what he did and to make it as far as he has, it's kind of special."