Dodger BlueDodger BlueDodger Blue
  • Dodgers News
    • MLB News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
    • 2025 Spring Training
    • 2025 Dodger Stadium giveaways
    • 2025 regular season
  • Team
    • Active roster
    • Salaries
  • Video
  • Odds
    • MLB Odds
    • NHL Odds
    • NFL Odds
    • NBA Odds
    • NCAAF Odds
    • NCAAB Odds
    • CFL Odds
    • UFC Odds
    • Boxing Odds
    • MLS Odds
    • PGA Odds
  • About
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
Font ResizerAa
Dodger BlueDodger Blue
Font ResizerAa
  • Dodgers News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
  • Team
  • Video
  • Odds
  • About
Search
  • Dodgers News
    • MLB News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
    • 2025 Spring Training
    • 2025 Dodger Stadium giveaways
    • 2025 regular season
  • Team
    • Active roster
    • Salaries
  • Video
  • Odds
    • MLB Odds
    • NHL Odds
    • NFL Odds
    • NBA Odds
    • NCAAF Odds
    • NCAAB Odds
    • CFL Odds
    • UFC Odds
    • Boxing Odds
    • MLS Odds
    • PGA Odds
  • About
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
Follow US
© 2024 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Dodger Blue > Dodgers News > Dodgers News: Dave Roberts Marvels At Mookie Betts’ Progress At Shortstop
Dodgers NewsFeatured

Dodgers News: Dave Roberts Marvels At Mookie Betts’ Progress At Shortstop

Matt Borelli
May 8, 2024
4 Min Read
Mookie Betts
Jayne Kamin-Oncea/USA TODAY Sports
SHARE

After establishing himself as one of the best right fielders in baseball, Mookie Betts has taken on a new challenge this season as the Los Angeles Dodgers’ starting shortstop.

Betts was originally slated to be the team’s starting second baseman, but moved to shortstop at the end of Spring Training due to Gavin Lux’s defensive struggles at the position.

Despite not having much time to prepare for the position change, Betts has more than held his own at shortstop this season, and even grades out well by some metrics.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has been impressed with the strides Betts has made, via Levi Weaver and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic:

“Just watching him back then, it was a great athlete trying to play one of the most demanding positions on the field, outside of catcher. It was happening quick. It was hard to imagine,” he said last weekend.

“As much as you want to believe in Mookie and anything he can do, it’s just something that was really unprecedented. But as I look here today, he looks like a shortstop. And I think that happened over the last week to 10 days.

“Now I see a shortstop standing at that position. It went from an athlete to then an outfielder playing the infield to then a second baseman playing on the other side of the diamond to now he looks like a shortstop. I marvel at how fast he’s done that.”

Betts’ quick progress at shortstop is nothing short of remarkable as he primarily played the outfield in his first 10 MLB seasons. However, Roberts is not surprised at all by Betts’ success due to his athleticism and work ethic:

“It’s not to say you’re not hopeful. If there’s anyone you can bet on, it’s him,” Roberts said. “But for anyone to say they can’t doubt something that has never been done, that’s a lie. You haven’t seen it, let alone in this small of a window. I think he doubted it. I know he doubted it. But he didn’t run from it, I promise you that. And I’ve seen that every single day.”

Betts had only 16 games of MLB experience at shortstop prior to this season, which all came last year. It was Betts’ first professional action at the position since 2013 when he was a Minor Leaguer in the Boston Red Sox organization.

Mookie Betts would rather ‘overwork’ than take day off

Betts’ ability to seemingly get better each year does not surprise his Dodgers teammates or coaches in the slightest. The 31-year-old is one of the hardest workers in the league and takes his preparation very seriously.

Betts acknowledged that he might work too hard at times but would rather over prepare than take a day off.

Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0
TAGGED:Dave RobertsLos Angeles DodgersMookie Betts
ByMatt Borelli
Matt Borelli covers the Los Angeles Dodgers as a staff writer for Dodger Blue and holds similar responsibilities for Lakers Nation, a sister site with an emphasis on the Los Angeles Lakers. He also contributes to RamsNewswire.com and RaidersNewswire.com. An avid fantasy sports player, Matt is a former 2014 MLB Beat the Streak co-champion. His favorite Dodgers moment, among a list of many, is Clayton Kershaw's no-hitter against the Colorado Rockies in 2014. Follow him on Twitter: @mcborelli.
Ad imageAd image
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
Get breaking Dodgers News direct to your inbox.

You Might Also Like

Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Scott Alexander reacts after allowing a grand slam against the New York Mets
Dodgers News

Dodgers Injury Update: Scott Alexander Dealing With Nerve Issue, Though Surgery Not Considered Necessary

July 20, 2019
July 20, 2019
Brian Dozier
Video

WATCH: Brian Dozier Trolls Astros By Hitting Trash Can During Nationals’ Zoom Call For Rewatch Of 2019 World Series Game 7

April 15, 2020
April 15, 2020
Jose-de-leon-yasiel-puig
Rumors

Dodgers Trade Rumors: Jose De Leon, Yasiel Puig Among Players White Sox Have Interest In

November 20, 2016
November 20, 2016
Los Angeles Dodgers utility player Kiké Hernandez during batting practice at Petco Park
Dodgers News

Kiké Hernandez Deems 2020s Will Be The ‘Dodgers’ Decade’

January 27, 2020
January 26, 2020

Categories

  • News
  • Rumors
  • Games
  • History

Information

  • Advertise
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Get breaking Dodgers News direct to your inbox.

© 2025 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?

  • 日本語
  • 한국어