Though he feels stronger with an offseason to build up his shoulder, Bellinger has struck out 14 times in 19 Cactus League at-bats including his past nine in a row.
GLENDALE, Ariz. — There are few things more meaningless than spring training stats. But 14 strikeouts in 19 at-bats will get your attention at any time of the year.
But Bellinger has stopped choking up and moved his bat to its former horizontal position over his shoulder. The change was prompted by the greater strength in his shoulder, Bellinger said, and the better barrel angle it creates on the way to contact. “Tonight … it wasn’t good,” Roberts said after the game. “Tonight was the first night I felt things sped up on him. … We’ve just got to go back to work and keep grinding.”
“So at the end of the day … the performance is up to Cody and it’s our job as coaches to create the environment and the work to allow him to succeed. But at the end of the day, he’s the one in the batter’s box. He knows that. And he’s got to produce. He’s a big part of what we want to do this year. He’s a big part of it. And he knows that.”
“You learn as you go. It’s been a huge learning curve the past few years. But I’m focused on where I’m at now.”Reliever Tommy Kahnle faced hitters in a one-inning live batting practice situation Saturday afternoon. It was Kahnle’s first time facing hitters since Tommy John surgery in August 2020 and a significant step in his recovery.