The Los Angeles Dodgers are planning a full-time position switch for Mookie Betts, and it’s earned him recognition from MLB Network’s The Shredder on its list of the Top-10 Second Basemen Right Now for the 2024 season.
The Shredder ranked Betts as the No. 1 second baseman in baseball, and he was atop lists compiled by analysts Mike Petriello, Sarah Langs and Vince Gennaro.
Chris Taylor ranked eighth for 2021 and 10th in 2022, but fell off The Shredder rankings of the Top-10 Second Basemen Right Now heading into the 2023 season.
Every year The Shredder focuses on a three-year sample to compile rankings. For this season’s version, the 2023 campaign was weighted more heavily than years. It factored in statistics such as WAR and wRC+, along with Statcast metrics.
Betts was originally drafted by the Boston Red Sox as a second baseman in 2011 but he switched to playing right field because of Dustin Pedroia’s presence.
Both out of necessity for the Dodgers and Betts’ personal interest, he returned to the infield during the 2023 season. That entailed playing 70 games (62 starts) at second base and 16 games (12 starts) at shortstop.
As a second baseman last season, Betts hit .326/.422/.574 with 15 doubles, 14 home runs and 43 RBI. He also produced a 1.039 on-base plus slugging percentage as a shortstop.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts believed playing infield helped hone Betts’ focus and offensive focus. Though, he disagreed with the notion there is any difference or drop-off when compared to playing right field.
“I mean, I won MVP in right field. So that’s my argument to that,” Betts said last season. “It doesn’t really matter where I play. The box is the box, and defense is the defense. They’re two separate things and I keep them that way.”
Betts was a finalist for a 2023 Gold Glove Award in right field and the utility position, but fell short for both. He nevertheless is a six-time Gold Glove winner and took home a 2023 Fielding Bible Award in the multi-position category.
Betts has won six Fielding Bible Awards in his career, which tied with Yadier Molina and Andrelton Simmons for most all-time. Betts’ previous five all came in right field (2016-2020, 2022).
MLB Top-10 Second Basemen Right Now for 2024
| Rank | The Shredder | Mike Petriello | Vince Gennaro | Sarah Langs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mookie Betts (Dodgers) | Mookie Betts (Dodgers) | Mookie Betts (Dodgers) | Mookie Betts (Dodgers) |
| 2 | Jose Altuve (Astros) | Jose Altuve (Astros) | Jose Altuve (Astros) | Marcus Semien (Rangers) |
| 3 | Marcus Semien (Rangers) | Marcus Semien (Rangers) | Luis Arraez (Marlins) | Jose Altuve (Astros) |
| 4 | Luis Arraez (Marlins) | Ozzie Albies (Braves) | Marcus Semien (Rangers) | Luis Arraez (Marlins) |
| 5 | Ketel Marte (Diamondbacks) | Luis Arraez (Marlins) | Ketel Marte (Diamondbacks) | Ozzie Albies (Braves) |
| 6 | Matt McLain (Reds) | Ha-Seong Kim (Padres) | Ozzie Albies (Braves) | Ketel Marte (Diamondbacks) |
| 7 | Andrés Giménez (Guardians) | Nico Hoerner (Cubs) | Gleyber Torres (Yankees) | Nico Hoerner (Cubs) |
| 8 | Edouard Julien (Twins) | Bryson Stott (Phillies) | Ha-Seong Kim (Padres) | Ha-Seong Kim (Padres) |
| 9 | Zack Gelof (Athletics) | Andrés Giménez (Guardians) | Matt McLain (Reds) | Gleyber Torres (Yankees) |
| 10 | Nico Hoerner (Cubs) | Gleyber Torres (Yankees) | Bryson Stott (Phillies) | Matt McLain (Reds) |
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