New Los Angeles Dodgers star Mookie Betts was ranked the top right fielder in all of baseball for the 2020 season by MLB Network’s The Shredder. It marks the fifth consecutive season in which he placed among the top-four spots in the rankings.
The rest of the list, in order, consists of the Milwaukee Brewers’ Christian Yelich, the New York Yankees’ Aaron Judge, the Atlanta Braves’ Ronald Acuña Jr., the Red Sox’s J.D. Martinez, the Philadelphia Phillies’ Bryce Harper, the Kansas City Royals’ Jorge Soler, the Texas Rangers’ Joey Gallo, the New York Mets’ Michael Conforto and the Cincinnati Reds’ Nicholas Castellanos.
Alex Verdugo, who was part of the package sent to the Boston Red Sox in the blockbuster swap, just missed the cutoff.
In 150 games last season, Betts hit a stellar .295/.391/.524 with an MLB-leading 135 runs scored, 40 doubles, 29 home runs, 80 RBI and 16 stolen bases in 19 attempts. He accumulated 6.8 WAR, according to Baseball-Reference’s calculations, which was good for the second most among current right fielders (Yelich, 7.1).
Dating back to the 2018 season, Betts ranks first among qualified right fielders in runs scored (264), bWAR (17.7) and xwOBA (.420). He additionally places second in on-base percentage (.413) and wRC+ (158) during the stretch.
The Dodgers anticipate having Betts as their leadoff hitter against left-handed pitching and everyday right fielder.
In addition to his success at the plate, Betts similarly thrived with his glove. Among right fielders with a minimum of 900 innings last year, Betts’ 15 Defensive Runs Saved trailed only new teammate Cody Bellinger’s total of 19.
Betts, however, narrowly eclipsed Bellinger in both UZR/150 (15.6) and Defensive Rating (7.0.) Both of those figures were good for the best in baseball among right fielders.
With a goal of adding elite talent to their roster this winter, the Dodgers finally struck gold with their acquisitions of Betts and David Price from the Red Sox.
While it took longer than anticipated for the trade to be finalized due to a medical concern with Brusdarl Graterol, the three teams eventually worked out a compromise by way of completing separate deals.
Betts makes long-term commitment
At the time of completing their trade for Betts, the Dodgers were hopeful he would grow fond of the organization and city, and re-sign upon reaching free agency in the winter. The landscape shifted with the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and the Dodgers and Betts wound up striking a deal.
The club announced a 12-year contract extension on the eve of Opening Day, eliminating a potential distraction in what’s sure to be a strange season. Betts praised the organization and said he has enjoyed every aspect of being with the team.
| Rank | The Shredder | Mike Petriello | Sarah Langs | Ben Lindbergh |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mookie Betts (Red Sox) | Christian Yelich (Brewers) | Christian Yelich (Brewers) | Mookie Betts (Red Sox) |
| 2 | Christian Yelich (Brewers) | Mookie Betts (Red Sox) | Mookie Betts (Red Sox) | Christian Yelich (Brewers) |
| 3 | Aaron Judge (Yankees) | Ronald Acuña Jr. (Braves) | Ronald Acuña Jr. (Braves) | Aaron Judge (Yankees) |
| 4 | Ronald Acuña Jr. (Braves) | Aaron Judge (Yankees) | Aaron Judge (Yankees) | Ronald Acuña Jr. (Braves) |
| 5 | J.D. Martinez (Red Sox) | Bryce Harper (Phillies) | Joey Gallo (Rangers) | Bryce Harper (Phillies) |
| 6 | Bryce Harper (Phillies) | Joey Gallo (Rangers) | Bryce Harper (Phillies) | Max Kepler (Twins) |
| 7 | Jorge Soler (Royals) | J.D. Martinez (Red Sox) | Jorge Soler (Royals) | Michael Conforto (Mets) |
| 8 | Joey Gallo (Rangers) | Michael Conforto (Mets) | J.D. Martinez (Red Sox) | J.D. Martinez (Red Sox) |
| 9 | Michael Conforto (Mets) | Max Kepler (Twins) | Max Kepler (Twins) | Joey Gallo (Rangers) |
| 10 | Nick Castellanos (Reds) | Jorge Soler (Royals) | Michael Conforto (Mets) | Jorge Soler (Royals) |
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