Dodgers News: Dave Roberts is Starting to Notice Mookie Betts' Offense When Playing Infield
Dodgers star utility player Mookie Betts continues to have a season for the ages. It seems like he keeps getting better as the years go on and the Dodgers are grateful to have him on their side.
On the year, Betts is hitting .277 with 25 home runs and 61 runs batted in. It has led him to being named an All-Star once again and he has been one of the more consistent players for this LA team through all the issues they’ve seen.
Betts has given the team much flexibility with their lineups due to his ability to play multiple positions on defense. In addition to his normal right field duties, Betts has played shortstop and second base for the Dodgers this season. He originally came up in the big leagues as an infielder and his return to the positions has been great to see.
After the teams win over the Angels on Friday, manager Dave Roberts spoke about Betts and a trend that he has noticed over the season.
"I do think that we're starting to see a good trend or sample," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "Mookie likes being on the dirt. It keeps him fresh, it keeps him involved, it keeps him more dynamic, I think, and that certainly could unlock some things. You've got to take note and see what's happening there."
Per
SNLA postgame
Betts has played an infield position 34 times this season and is hitting .330 on the year. If you compare that to his .243 average when he is in the outfield, Roberts seems to have a point. But Betts himself isn't sold on the idea that he plays better when he's in the infield rather than patrolling the outfield.
"I won an MVP in right field. So, that's my argument to that. It doesn't really matter where I play, the box is the box and defense is defense, they're two separate things and I keep them that way."
As a player, Betts just goes out there and does his job each and every night. It doesn't matter to him where he plays in the field, as long as he is helping the team win games. But numbers don't lie so maybe he is more effective at the plate while playing in the infield.
In reality, we will really never know with absolute certainty but one thing is for sure and that is how Betts is playing overall. He has been on a tear of late and is one of the main reasons as to why the Dodgers have started playing better lately.