Dodgers News: Mookie Betts Wants to Change One Thing for the Rest of Career
Mookie Betts is having one of the best seasons of his career while playing multiple positions.
The 2018 AL Most Valuable Player is once again putting up MVP-caliber numbers, hitting .279 with 27 home runs and a .954 OPS. He currently is the second favorite to win the award behind the Atlanta Braves' Ronald Acuna Jr.
The best part of Betts' dominant season? His defensive contributions have come from three different spots on the field.
Betts has played 61 games in right field, the position he has played for all of his career. In addition, the 30-year-old has played 26 games at second base and 14 at shortstop.
His numbers at the plate show that he hits better when not playing in right field, though Betts will be quick to discredit any connection between his defense and offense.
"I won MVP in right field, that's my argument to that," Betts said. "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."
(Via
T
he Orange County Register
)
Betts has won six Gold Gloves in right field, but his flexibility between positions allows the Dodgers several options when looking for a right-handed hitter. LA already has an infielder and an outfielder in Betts, so they can afford to shop for either position.
Betts doesn't care, and compares his versatility to playing as a kid.
"This is like summer ball. I remember summer ball I would play short one game, second one game, center one game. So I'm not nervous. This is just normal," Betts said.
(Via
The Orange County Register
)
Betts will be a Dodger until the age of 39, barring any trade deals. As he ages, playing in the infield might prevent him from having to move around as much when fielding hits.
"Instead of me taking three steps to the right (in the infield), backhand, boom, throw to first, you've got to take 30 at a full spring (in the outfield). That in itself is an extra load," Betts said.
(Via
The Orange County Register
)
Whatever Mookie Betts does, wherever Mookie Betts plays, it is certain that he can do it at an elite level.