Dodgers Don’t Plan on Moving Mookie Betts Off Shortstop This Year, Says Dave Roberts
The Los Angeles Dodgers don’t plan on moving Mookie Betts off shortstop this season, and for good reason.
More news: Dodgers Trade Idea to Fix Biggest Roster Holes, Replace Struggling Michael Conforto
Betts, who is a Gold Glover in right field, made the unprecedented transition from the outfield to the infield. Going from right field to shortstop is a position change that is practically unheard of in the modern era of baseball.
However, Betts has quietly shown just how athletic he is in his new position as the team’s infield quarterback.
According to Baseball Savant, the Dodgers star ranks in the 89th percentile in Outs Above Average. Ranking positively in OAA is quite the feat for Betts, a player who is in the midst of his first full season at shortstop.
Last season, Betts played a portion of the 2024 campaign as the team’s starting shortstop. However, once he returned in August from the injured list, Betts made his return to right field and remained there throughout the postseason.
In 2025, Betts will only being playing at shortstop, according to manager Dave Roberts.
“I don’t see us making a change even as we did last year. I don’t see that happening,” Roberts said. “He’s a major league shortstop on a championship club.”
The Dodgers skipper believes Betts is playing just a bit above league average, and is on an upward trajectory.
“I would say, right now he’s playing above average shortstop … a tick above major-league average, which is amazing considering he just took this position up,” Roberts said. “And he’s only getting better.”
More news: Dodgers’ Emmet Sheehan Could Return to Team Before End of June
Photo Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Have you joined our Discord Channel yet? Be a part of the ultimate Dodgers Nation community and get VIP Nation Access! Don’t miss out on real-time Dodgers talk, call-in access to Dodgers Dougout, behind-the-scenes content, exclusive interviews, giveaways, and more!
