Yankees‘ Cody Bellinger hasn’t exactly burst onto the Bronx scene with fireworks at the plate this spring. His bat might still be stuck in hibernation mode, as he’s hitting just .185/.242/.296 through the early part of the season. But on Wednesday night against the Royals, Bellinger reminded everyone that offense isn’t the only way to win baseball games.
With a single, spectacular play, he showed exactly why he has a Gold Glove Award collecting dust at home.
Defense Steps Into the Spotlight
The Yankees clung to a tight lead late in the game when a sharply hit ball sailed toward right field, threatening to flip momentum. Bellinger got an initially shaky read but quickly corrected, laying out fully to snag the ball and secure a critical Yankees victory.
“That might be my first game-saving catch, I’m not sure,” Bellinger said after the game. “I was glad I came down with it. I had a little awkward second step there, and my head was bobbing a little too much. But I had a good beat on it and I saw the way the ball was going. I was just glad I was able to catch it and get the win.”
Aaron Judge, watching from the dugout as the DH, summed up the moment perfectly: “Wow. That’s the reason he’s got gold on his glove. Very few people make that catch, especially in a big moment like that with the game on the line. To lay out there and extend it for the team, that was pretty impressive.”
Bellinger’s Bat is Cold, But Patience Is Key
Bellinger’s slow offensive start might worry fans, but baseball is a marathon, and cold Aprils don’t always translate to cool summers. Part of the sluggishness could be attributed to the dreary New York weather—rainy, damp, and generally miserable conditions that make hitting feel like swinging through quicksand.
He’s historically shown better plate discipline than he has so far, but there’s reason to believe the bat will wake up once spring truly arrives. Warmer days tend to thaw bats, and Bellinger’s ability to hit has never really vanished—it’s just gone dormant.
Range, Reliability, and Potential
Even with his bat silent, Bellinger’s glove has spoken loudly. He ranks in the 84th percentile in defensive range this season, covering ground with ease and confidence. His ability to track and make plays in key situations gives the Yankees something they haven’t had consistently from their outfield defense in years: reliability.
Until the bat heats up, the Yankees can still trust that Bellinger’s glove will stay golden, ready to shine whenever the game demands it.