You would think that after six weeks of spring training and 150 minor league games the last thing that a young baseball prospect would want to do is play more baseball. But when 21-year-old Dodgers top first base/outfield prospect Cody Bellinger received word that he had been selected for the prestigious and highly competitive Arizona Fall League (AFL) he was ecstatic.

“It’s been awesome,” Bellinger said after leading the Glendale Desert Dogs to an exciting 8-7 come-from-behind win over the Scottsdale Scorpions with his bottom of the ninth walk-off RBI single on Tuesday afternoon at Camelback Ranch. “Our team and our staff is fun. We’ve got good camaraderie here, we joke around, we talk smack to each other and it’s all fun and games, but playing out here against the best competition in the minor leagues is all you can ever ask for so you just come out every day and do your job.”

Bellinger, who is ranked as the Dodgers number one overall prospect by MLB.com and is the son of former major leaguer Clay Bellinger, acknowledges that he is a bit tired after more than nine months of non-stop baseball but doesn’t regret one second of it.

“It wears on you. It’s starting to cool off now but it was pretty hot out here [in Phoenix],” Bellinger said. “It’s tough but if you want to be in the big leagues you’re playing right now too in the World Series, so that’s what you’ve got to kind of think of. You just got to go out every day and train your body and make sure you’re healthy.”

With his two hits on Tuesday – including his walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth – Bellinger is now hitting an even .300 with a .404 OBP and .450 SLG in the 2016 AFL.
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

Being selected for the six-week long AFL – especially in its 25th-anniversary season – is one thing, but being named to its annual All-Star Game (cleverly dubbed the Fall Stars Game) takes it to an entirely new level.

“As I was playing I was kind of hoping I would make it. It’s on MLB Network so all of my family that’s back in New York can finally watch me play,” said Bellinger. “I don’t know how many innings I’ll play but it should be awesome. It’s the best of the best of the Fall League and I’m looking forward to it.”

Bellinger isn’t the only Dodgers prospect named to the Fall Stars team. In fact, three of the four Dodgers position players selected for the 2016 AFL made the team. Joining Bellinger will be outfielder Alex Verdugo and second baseman Willie Calhoun, ranked third and fourth respectively on the Dodgers’ top prospect list.

“We’re kind of going up the ladder together,” Bellinger said of Verdugo and Calhoun. “Through the good and the bad we’re always there for each other so it’s been fun going up with them.”

Although many consider Bellinger the heir apparent to replace Dodgers veteran first baseman Adrian Gonzalez after the 2018 season, the 6′-4″ / 210-pound left-handed hitting and throwing Scottsdale, Arizona native has spent considerable time playing in the outfield throughout his professional career and during the AFL. In fact, Bellinger himself considers it to be his natural position – although his height and throwing arm may suggest otherwise.

“What they told me is the more positions you can play, the better. It’s only going to help me get to the big leagues faster so I’m all for it,” Bellinger said. “I played out there my whole life so it’s kind of second nature to me. I feel really comfortable out there, I feel I can compete out there in the big leagues right now.”

As far as facing some of the best pitching prospects in the country during the AFL, Bellinger feels comfortable at the plate as well.

“It’s tough. Everybody is throwing 90-plus with movement and you’re not getting consistent at-bats really, but that’s everybody and every year so you kind of expect that coming in,” said Bellinger. “But it’s what you want, this is what you’re going to be facing in the big leagues. It’s kind of a test … see how far you came. I’m just trying to come out here every day and just try to have some good at-bats.”

With the light finally visible at the end of the tunnel, is Bellinger looking forward to the off season? His answer may surprise you. Then again, maybe it won’t.

“I think I’m just going to have to hit the weights hard,” Bellinger said. “I’ve got the Fall League ending pretty late and then I think I’m going to have two months before spring training, so I’m just going to have some fun – maybe go on a vacation here and there – but for the most part I’m just going to go in the gym and get ready for 2017.”

If you were wondering what the difference is between a prospect and a top prospect, now you know.