Dodgers' Bellinger wins NL MVP
Cody Bellinger's monster season didn't go unnoticed by the Baseball Writers' Association of America.
The Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder has been voted the winner of the 2019 National League Most Valuable Player Award, the BBWAA announced Thursday.
Don't make us cry, @Cody_Bellinger. pic.twitter.com/7vRsdBAJP6
— MLB (@MLB) November 14, 2019
Bellinger is the Dodgers' sixth MVP since the team moved to California and first since left-hander Clayton Kershaw earned the honor in 2014.
The 24-year-old slashed .305/.406/.629 with 47 home runs, 115 RBIs, and a 7.8 WAR, according to FanGraphs, leading Los Angeles to a seventh straight NL West title. The two-time All-Star also won a Gold Glove and a Silver Slugger last week for his efforts in 2019.
Bellinger is just the fourth player ever to collect all three awards before turning 25, joining Johnny Bench, Fred Lynn, and Dustin Pedroia, according to ESPN Stats & Info.
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich finished second in NL MVP voting, while Washington Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon placed third.
| Player | Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cody Bellinger | LAD | 19 | 10 | 362 | |
| Christian Yelich | MIL | 10 | 18 | 1 | 317 |
| Anthony Rendon | WSH | 1 | 1 | 24 | 242 |
| Ketel Marte | ARI | 3 | 198 | ||
| Ronald Acuna Jr. | ATL | 1 | 155 |
Yelich, the incumbent, had his campaign cut short by a season-ending knee injury in early September.
"I pretty much figured once I got hurt, that was a wrap on that," Yelich said, according to Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "As soon as I got hurt, I figured all the MVP stuff was out the window."
Yelich posted a 1.100 OPS with 44 homers in 130 contests. The 27-year-old could've been the first player to repeat in the NL since Albert Pujols took home the honor in 2008 and 2009.