Mookie Betts is making an early case for the National League MVP Award as he leads all players in multiple offensive categories while not only providing a spark for the Los Angeles Dodgers lineup but being a driving force from the leadoff spot.
Betts’ monster start comes on the heels of an outstanding 2023 campaign that saw him finish second in MVP voting and win his sixth career Silver Slugger Award.
Betts’ ability to seemingly get better each year does not surprise his Dodgers teammates or coaches. The 31-year-old is one of the hardest workers in the league and takes his preparation very seriously.
Manager Dave Roberts praised Betts for the example he sets on the field, via Mike DiGiovanna of the L.A. Times:
“I’ve never seen anyone work as hard as he works before a game,” manager Dave Roberts said. “I don’t know how he does it. You would think that he expends too much energy, but he’s just so mentally tough that he can handle it. He’s not a very physical guy, but it certainly hasn’t affected performance.”
Betts acknowledged that he might work too hard at times but would rather potentially over prepare than take a day off:
“Yeah, I’m sure it’s a balance, but I can’t not put in the work,” Betts said. “That’s me. I’m always going to put in work. I’ll overwork before I take a day off. I just gotta figure it out.”
Betts’ level of play to begin the 2024 season is all the more impressive when considering he has essentially changed positions twice since March.
Betts was originally slated to be the Dodgers’ starting second baseman after primarily playing right field for most of his career, but moved to shortstop amid Gavin Lux’s defensive issues at the position.
Dave Roberts compared Mookie Betts to Barry Bonds & Mike Trout
Roberts has 24 years worth of MLB experience as a player and coach, and considers Betts one of the best players he has ever seen.
“Wow, I think it’s right at the top,” Roberts recently said of Betts. “I think the first names that come to mind for me are Barry (Bonds) and (Mike) Trout. But neither one of those guys can do what Mookie does as far as the versatility, defensively.
“And so I think the Mookie is at the top for me, it’s just really, really impressive”
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