All-star outfielder Mookie Betts has made a profession out of defying expectations, and as he transitions to shortstop full-time for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2025, he’s embracing the problem with the identical willpower that has made him top-of-the-line all-around gamers within the recreation.
“I’m actually excited to show everyone incorrect. All of the people who doubt me, they’ll see,” Betts mentioned just lately, making it clear that he’s absolutely dedicated to mastering the place.
This offseason, Betts has devoted himself to enhancing at shortstop after an inconsistent three-month stint there in 2024. Whereas his elite athleticism helped him make performs, his 9 errors—eight of which got here on throws—uncovered simply how troublesome the transition could be. Nevertheless, as an alternative of shying away from the problem, Betts sought out assist from former All-Star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, who has shortly change into one in every of his largest believers.
“I believe he could be an elite defender on the place—which is simply loopy to say,” Tulowitzki mentioned.
Final 12 months, Betts’ transfer to shortstop was rushed, with minimal preparation time earlier than Opening Day. This 12 months, he has taken a much more structured strategy, spending your complete offseason refining his footwork, throws, and positioning.
Mookie Betts able to proceed to develop at shortstop for the Dodgers
Betts frolicked working with Dodgers coaches in Arizona, educated with Tulowitzki in Texas, and even took every day grounders at native highschool fields in Los Angeles when Dodger Stadium was unavailable on account of renovations. With video coordinator Petie Montero filming every session, Betts rigorously analyzed his method, making incremental enhancements alongside the best way.
“It’s not like he’s making an attempt to study stuff on the fly, then get able to go play at 7 o’clock,” Montero defined. “I believe [this offseason has] given him somewhat leeway to work on issues.”
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This dedication has already paid dividends. Dodgers first base coach Chris Woodward has observed a big enchancment, significantly in Betts’ potential to make throws from completely different angles.
“His throw is rather a lot higher [than last year],” Woodward mentioned, including that Betts’ “free-flowing and athletic” type reminds him of former Dodgers All-Star Corey Seager.
Regardless of Betts’ struggles final season, the Dodgers by no means wavered of their perception that he might succeed at shortstop. President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman made it clear that Betts could be given each alternative to show himself.
“He’s lifeless set on it,” Friedman mentioned. “His level is, ‘If I’ve an offseason to coach for this and to get my physique in these positions and to study this, I’ve little question that I can determine it out.’ So we’re going to provide him each likelihood to do this. I wouldn’t guess towards him.”
Whereas the Dodgers have fallback choices in Miguel Rojas and Tommy Edman if Betts struggles, early reviews from Spring Coaching recommend that his arduous work is already paying off.
Betts has achieved nearly every thing in his profession—six Gold Gloves, an MVP award, a number of World Collection titles—but when he can efficiently make the leap to shortstop, it is going to be one other exceptional feat in his Corridor of Fame résumé.
For now, the highlight is on him, and along with his relentless work ethic, no person ought to rely him out.