Mookie Betts has long been considered one of the best outfielders in baseball, but he is now manning shortstop for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Betts embraced the opportunity to change positions despite not having much experience at shortstop. He entered the year with only 16 games of MLB experience at the position, which all came last season.
Making the jump from the outfield to shortstop is unprecedented, but Betts has exceeded expectations with the transition. He has more than held his own at shortstop this season, and even grades out well by some metrics.
“I just think he’s one of one. I don’t think anyone in baseball can do what he’s done. I don’t,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said of Betts’ move to shortstop.
“There’s a lot of great players but to see where he’s evolved on the field positionally and thrived, I don’t see anyone doing that. If the All-Star Game was tomorrow, he would be the starting shortstop. There would be a lot of disappointed shortstops that he took the position but it is what it is.”
As it currently stands, Betts’ biggest competition for the National League starting shortstop job figure to be Willy Adames of the Milwaukee Brewers and the Cincinnati Reds’ Elly De La Cruz.
While both players have solid numbers this season, Betts leads all qualified NL shortstops in WAR, batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage and wRC+.
Voting for the 2024 MLB All-Star Game began on June 5 at 9 a.m. PT. The 94th Midsummer Classic will be held on July 16 at Globe Life Field.
Dave Roberts: Mookie Betts will eventually cut back on defensive work
Betts prepared for the change by doing more infield work before games, a testament to his desire to improve and preference to over prepare rather than take a day off.
However, Roberts said Betts will eventually scale back on the extra preparation he puts in as the season progresses.
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