As the Los Angeles Dodgers move through the National League Championship Series — boasting a 2-0 series lead over the Milwaukee Brewers as they head back to Dodger Stadium — there is a lot to be thankful for.
Star shortstop Mookie Betts and veteran Miguel Rojas were recently named Gold Glove award finalists to further add to the list of things to be grateful for, and Betts noted how lucky he is to have someone like Rojas in his corner amid his unprecedented switch to the infield.
Betts has always been a right fielder, and after playing as a second baseman in the minors with only a handful of reps at shortstop, he not only made a seamless transition, but did so at an elite leve.
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“Really having Miggy has been like one of the biggest blessings in disguise I’ve ever had,” Betts said. “He is so knowledgeable of baseball in general, but especially the position of shortstop. … When you have a teammate that’s actually out there, I can ask him questions during the game, in between pitches, (he) always has an answer, always gives you his best every day.”
Betts led all qualified shortstops in MLB with 17 Defensive Runs Saved this season, something Rojas did three seasons ago, tying the most in MLB with 15 among active shortstops.
Betts is also an elite defender by the Outs Above Average metric, ranking in the 90th percentile across MLB.
There is a reason that so many see Rojas as a clubhouse leader, and someone that can be a coach one day after his playing days (as he told Dodgers Nation’s Doug McKain at the end of last month). However, his pairing with Betts to help him out while swapping positions is truly special, and is a big reason the Dodgers were able to be so successful this year with Betts running the infield.
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Photo Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
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