This story was excerpted from Juan Toribio’s Dodgers Beat publication. To learn the total publication, click on right here. And subscribe to get it commonly in your inbox.
Every week earlier than coming off the injured listing in August, Mookie Betts took tons of of grounders at shortstop, one thing that grew to become routine for him as soon as he made the transfer to the place on the finish of Spring Coaching.
This time, nonetheless, as Betts got here off the sector, he regarded inspired. Breaking his hand in mid-June and being compelled to overlook two months was a tricky blow for the Dodgers, nevertheless it additionally got here with a silver lining. Betts, who was thrown into the fireplace at shortstop with little time to organize, was treating his rehab as his personal model of Spring Coaching.
However as Betts was set to return from the injured listing, the Dodgers and the six-time Gold Glove winner in proper subject mutually determined that it was within the crew’s greatest curiosity for Betts to return to the outfield. The remainder is historical past, because the Dodgers received the World Collection in 2024 with Betts taking part in proper subject completely down the stretch.
“He is prepared for the problem,” Gomes mentioned. “He appears like, with a full offseason, he can go and sort out that. Like we have mentioned earlier than, he is one of many guys that I definitely would not wager towards.”
In his time on the place final season, Betts graded out nicely by way of attending to balls laterally. In any case, Betts is the most effective pure athlete on the crew and maybe your entire sport. What he struggled with, nonetheless, was his throwing. That was surprising for Betts provided that he has one of many strongest arms from the outfield.
However what Betts realized was that the throwing movement within the infield is far completely different than launching a throw to dwelling plate from the outfield. With a full offseason to work on that, Betts and the Dodgers are assured that he can repair that problem and be an above-average Main League shortstop regardless of the restricted reps all through his illustrious profession.
“Proper now, because the roster is type of the place it’s at, [it] continues to present us a number of flexibility,” mentioned Dodgers supervisor Dave Roberts. “It’s a straightforward wager to wager on him with the total offseason. … Clearly, there’s some issues that may change, however all the boldness in Mookie.”
Going into Spring Coaching, Betts’ skill to play the place at a excessive degree can be one of many query marks the crew must deal with. For Betts, staying engaged with challenges often brings out the most effective in him. He felt rejuvenated when taking up the duty of taking part in shortstop. His want to finally transfer away from the outfield has been nicely documented.
Now, Betts understands that it’s all about efficiency. The Dodgers will give him each alternative to make the transition but once more. If it doesn’t work out, the Dodgers are nicely positioned to make modifications.
Tommy Edman, who now figures to be the on a regular basis middle fielder, can slide in at shortstop simply as he did through the postseason. At this stage of his profession, Miguel Rojas possible can’t deal with the grind that comes with being an on a regular basis shortstop, however he is nonetheless top-of-the-line defenders on the place. Chris Taylor can be able to taking part in shortstop in a pinch.
The Dodgers have loads of choices. Nevertheless it all begins with Betts exhibiting enchancment and dealing with shortstop, this time for a whole season.
“I 100% consider in my talents. I consider I can [play shortstop]. I believe it’s the problem that I actually, really liked,” Betts mentioned in August. “I simply haven’t been challenged in a very long time. In order that job, that problem to simply accept and be capable to play shortstop within the large leagues, and assist the Dodgers? I used to be going to take it on, and I’m glad I did. I’m undoubtedly happy with myself for doing that.”
