Dodgers Coach Dino Ebel Expects Mookie Betts to Win Gold Glove at Second Base

Mookie Betts may be playing a new full-time position next season, but that doesn’t mean he won’t be the same stellar defender.

Betts was named the everyday second baseman by manager Dave Roberts during the Winter Meetings, and on Tuesday, general manager Brandon Gomes confirmed that he would play “a vast majority” of his games on the infield dirt.

Betts, who appeared in 70 games at second base last season, has made it pretty clear he prefers playing in the infield — and this year, he’ll finally get that opportunity on an everyday basis. Dodgers third base coach Dino Ebel told SportsNet LA that he expects Betts to thrive in his new full-time role.

“I know he’s happy, he wants to play second,” Ebel said. “So if you get a Mookie Betts that is determined to show everybody that he can be the everyday second baseman, he’s gonna prove a lot of people wrong.”

Ebel even took it a step further.

“He’ll end up winning Gold,” Ebel said. “No doubt about it. That’s how I feel.”

Betts is a six-time Gold Glove award winner in right field, and was a runner-up for the Utility Gold Glove award in 2023. In his less than half-a-season at second base, Betts had six defensive runs saved above average.

This year, though, second base will be Betts’ main focus. The second-baseman-turned-outfielder will get to go back to his roots, and Ebel thinks he’ll continue to show off his Gold Glove defense.

“In the WBC I told (Team USA manager) Mark DeRosa, ‘If this guy played everyday in the big leagues at second base, he’s a Gold Glover.'”

Betts will get his chance to prove Ebel right in 2024.

Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

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