Cody Bellinger DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

New York Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger will bat behind Aaron Judge and be the team's primary No. 3 hitter in 2025, sources tell the New York Post's Jon Heyman. Bellinger has been swinging a hot bat in Grapefruit League play, going 17-for-36 (.472) with two home runs, five doubles, five RBI and 11 runs scored in 14 games played. In his first year in the Bronx, the 29-year-old left-handed slugger will take over starting duties in center field for the Bombers, which allows the Yanks to move MVP Aaron Judge back to right field. The two-time All-Star and former National League MVP has been able to stay afloat for fantasy managers despite his low rate of quality contact, thanks mostly to him being able to limit the strikeouts. Belly had 47 homers in 2019 and then tanked (injuries didn't help). He's had just one 20-homer season since then. While he's RotoBaller's No. 25 outfielder in a strong lineup, there's still plenty of volatility with Bellinger.

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said on WFAN 660 on Tuesday that he will likely use outfielder Cody Bellinger in center field and outfield prospect Jasson Dominguez in left field in 2025. The Yankees can move Bellinger around as needed, including to play first base, while Boone would rather keep Dominguez in one spot in what will be his first full professional season in the majors. Paul Goldschmidt will be the Yankees' starting first baseman, but on days he's used as the designated hitter, Bellinger could slide to first. In addition to being the team's primary left fielder in 2025, Dominguez, along with infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr., will be an option to hit leadoff for the Bombers. Both Bellinger and Dominguez will be No. 3 outfield targets in fantasy, with Bellinger having a safer floor given his experience, but Dominguez certainly has the higher long-term ceiling.

New York Yankees' recent trade acquisition Cody Bellinger could play first base, left field, or center field for the Bombers, according to manager Aaron Boone, who said on Wednesday that a report that Bellinger was told he would play center field was "fake news." This means that top prospect Jasson Dominguez is still in play for the center-field job and leaves open the possibility of signing a first baseman, which could put Bellinger in left field. Nevertheless, it sounds like Aaron Judge will transition back to right field, regardless of what transpires. Bellinger himself has said he'll play wherever he's needed and to let the offseason play out. The lefty slugger is ranked right around 124 in early 2025 fantasy drafts, so we'll see how his new surroundings affect his ADP in the coming months.