Freddie Freeman Says Mookie Betts Hasn’t Taken Day Off From Preparing For Dodgers’ Season
When Mookie Betts moved from second base to become the Dodgers’ everyday shortstop, he approached it with a level of seriousness that his teammates and coach hadn’t seen before.
His intensity hasn’t changed. He hasn’t significantly increased the number of ground balls he fields between games. However, he does have a greater amount of responsibility and his can’t-fail attitude is driving him to be better with every rep.
“He hasn’t taken a day off yet,” first baseman Freddie Freeman said, noting that on days the team has been off in recent weeks, Betts has been at the ballpark going through more rounds of infield drills.
“I think he’s just doing everything he can to make sure he is prepared for the position. I wouldn’t say the intensity has changed. It’s just more of, he’s trying to give himself — and us — the best chance. And that means obviously working extra.”
— Freddie Freeman via the Los Angeles Times
Betts has also brought more attention to himself with his ridiculous start at the plate. He homered in four straight games, has a batting average of .500, and has an on-base percentage of .621. He’s walked (seven) more than he has struck out (two) and is tops in the league with 10 RBIs.
He’s locked in and swinging the hottest bat in the Dodgers’ lineup — and all of Major League Baseball.
“It’s so interesting, there’s just no exact science to it. Early in camp, he was the most unlocked player, trying to find his swing. Freddie was the same way. Now you see them and they’re both swinging a hot bat. They’re just really good players and you just hope it syncs up sooner than later and those hot spurts last longer than they don’t.”
— Dodgers manager Dave Roberts
Nobody seems to have an answer as to why Betts is doing what he is doing, but there is some speculation. Freeman says the focus on his defense is “making him not worry so much about his mechanics” when he is in the box. First base coach Clayton McCullough noted Betts’ “flip is switched and it stays on all day” once he finishes his pregame routine.
Eventually, Betts will reward himself with a day off. That day might not come until he feels 100 percent comfortable with his game is on both sides of the ball. Considering he’s on such a tear to begin the season, why slow the momentum?
Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Have you subscribed to our YouTube channel? Subscribe and hit that notification bell to stay up to date on all the latest Dodgers news, rumors, interviews, livestreams, and more!
