Skeptics Fueling Mookie Betts in Transition to Shortstop for Dodgers

Betts is attempting something few have done...

Mookie Betts has always been considered to be a special athlete. 

The functional athleticism he brings to the baseball field is quite evident. Whether it's slugging a home run, beating out a slow roller, throwing a runner out at home from right field, or making a spectacular diving play, the respect for Betts and his ability has always been there, for the most part. 

There was a time when Betts was going to be a shortstop coming through the Boston Red Sox system. This is where he had hoped to play before developing into a Gold Glove right fielder. The Red Sox moved Betts from the position allegedly because they didn't feel as if he had a strong enough arm to man the spot. 

“Yeah, absolutely. There is a lot of doubt out there, which is cool. That’s what makes it fun. Somebody’s going to be right. We’ll find out.

”

-- Betts on whether he thinks he can play shortstop at a high level (

per Ken Rosenthal

of The Athletic)

Betts addressed this -- and more -- in an interview with Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. It's bordering on abnormal to take a Gold Glove player and move them from one spot to another, particularly when it's going from the outfield to the infield. 

In this case, the motivation to succeed, coupled with the forced move over a decade ago, is something that's surely fueling Betts right now. 

In the wake of Gavin Lux coming back from an ACL injury, the projected shortstop struggled during Spring Training. Wanting to ease Lux back into action, the Dodgers moved him to second base and instead opted to have Betts command a position he's played quite sparingly throughout his Major League career.

"There was a poll of who is the craziest athlete in all of baseball is, and everyone was like 'Mookie Betts' -- and it's not even close. He literally can do everything."

-- Pitcher Ryan Yarbrough on teammate Mookie Betts

Darin Erstad is the only player to have won a Gold Glove both as an outfielder and an infielder. If there's one guy who can do the same, it would be Betts.