Mookie Betts struggled at the plate for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2025, and his issues continued into 2026.
The lack of offensive production led to the future Hall of Famer searching for answers. He was constantly making changes, trying to find something that works, and even completely re-worked his swing mechanics in the offseason.
Throughout his slump, there were moments when Betts found success and had a short stretch of positive results, but they quickly faded, leading him to make another change.
Two things were constant for Betts: a lack of results and then changing something in search of consistency. But in his search, Betts learned from Freddie Freeman, who is a model of consistency, not just on the field, but in his work and preparation, as well.
“I think this year is really the most that I’ve learned. And it’s really just getting to watch Freddie. I’ve gotten to play with him for five years, but I never really watched him. Like, I was just playing with him, you know? And this year I was actually able to kind of sit and watch, and pay attention, Betts said during an interview with Jason Benetti for a “Sunday Night Baseball” broadcast on NBC.
“Because I was just struggling so much early, and I didn’t know what it was. He literally does the same routine every day, no matter what. He found something that works, and whether it works or not that day, it doesn’t derail him from his process. That’s what I’ve started to learn these last couple weeks is once you find who you are and you find what works for you, keep doing it. Master that.
“If it doesn’t work for a couple days, don’t try and change or adjust and whatnot, because then you start chasing your tail. I’ve done enough chasing my tail.”
From the start of last season through May of this year, Betts only hit .249/.316/.406 with a 101 wRC+. But in June, Betts looked more back to normal, batting .290/.339/.477 with a 123 wRC+.
In late June, Betts wouldn’t say he’s completely back, but said he’s feeling more normal and can just let his abilities show, rather than focusing on figuring things out.
Freeman also believes Betts has turned a corner, but stopped short of definitively saying so as a way to not jinx him.
“It’s baseball. We can’t say that. It can go sideways real quick,” Freeman cautioned on SportsNet LA.
Mookie Betts feeling more confident
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts attributed Betts’ offensive turnaround to feeling more confident at the plate.
“I think there’s confidence,” Roberts recently said of Betts’ success. “I think he’s confident because his swing is in a good spot, hitting the ball hard.”
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