Mookie Betts has continued his elite run of production to open the 2024 season while taking on the difficult task of being the new Los Angeles Dodgers’ shortstop.
Betts went 5-for-5 on Tuesday against the Washington Nationals with two doubles, two RBI and two runs, propelled the Dodgers to a 6-2 win.
He currently leads Major League Baseball with a 1.9 fWAR, batting .388/.490/.700 with six homers, 18 RBI and 22 runs scored. Betts’ defense has been solid as well, tallying three defense runs saved in 126 innings at shortstop.
The 31-year-old is the piece that makes the offense go, and Max Muncy is among those who have enjoyed watching Betts play the game at an elite level, per Mike DiGiovanna of the L.A. Times:
“He’s pretty locked in right now–it’s fun to watch,” third baseman Max Muncy said. “He’s so locked in to what he’s trying to do with his defense that I feel like that’s carrying over to his offense. He’s fully in tune with what his body’s doing right now, and I feel that’s allowing him to get the most out of what he’s trying to do on both sides of the ball.”
Among qualified players, Betts ranks alongside plus-defenders, including Kansas City Royals’ superstar Bobby Witt Jr., the Detroit Tigers’ Javier Báez and New York Yankees’ bright spot Anthony Volpe.
Now in his 11th MLB season, the Dodgers were fortunate enough to have Betts at their disposal after Gavin Lux threw their original plans off kilter.
Mookie Betts ranking well in Statcast metrics
To start, there isn’t a better player in MLB in terms of Betts when it comes to batter run value. Ranking in the 100th percentile, his impact at the plate is second-to-none.
A wide view of Betts percentiles, he’s grading out elite in expected batting average (95th), expected slugging percentage (92nd), chase rate (92nd) and walk rate (95th).
Betts being the spark at the top is paying immense dividends, getting on base, providing the run producers behind him with RBI chances.
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