Dodgers wowed by improved Betts at SS: His glove is '2 grades better'
It's hard to believe Mookie Betts spent the offseason turning himself into an even better player, but that's exactly what the Los Angeles Dodgers say he did.
Now a full-time shortstop, Betts spent the offseason learning the ins and outs of the position after going through some struggles last year. His winter program included studying the position with former Gold Glove shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, who hosted Betts at his home for three days to provide some hands-on tutelage.
The results - Betts is looking far more refined on the left side - are immediately apparent to onlookers at Dodgers camp.
"It's two grades better already," manager Dave Roberts told Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times.
"He's way more comfortable with the things he's doing at short," fellow shortstop Miguel Rojas added.
Betts originally made his name in the majors as one of the best right fielders of his time. The former AL MVP started to move to the infield over the last few years by playing second base, where he was originally drafted and developed in Boston, with a few cameo appearances at shortstop.
Gavin Lux's throwing issues at shortstop led he and Betts to swap infield spots last spring just before Opening Day. Betts' defense at short was a mixed bag, as he tallied three defensive runs saved but also made nine errors - eight of them on throws - and had minus-4 outs above average before breaking his hand in June. Once healthy, he returned to right for the remainder of 2024.
Betts was able to dig into the intricacies of shortstop this year, and the 32-year-old is continuing to do so in camp by taking extra ground balls long after drills end. Dodgers first base and infield coach Chris Woodward told Harris that Betts' skills at the position remind him of ex-Dodgers star Corey Seager.
"It's the first time I've had to mentally prepare for something like this," Betts said. "Again, I didn't get this opportunity (last year), so this stuff never came across my plate. So I really have no idea. I'm just gonna go out there and give it what I got, and use this spring training to talk to other guys, figure out what information I can use to make better decisions throughout the game.”
Tulowitzki, now working as an assistant baseball coach at Texas, was shocked by how quickly Betts picked up the position after their sessions.
"I couldn't believe the strides that he made," Tulowitzki said. "I say to do something, and it's pretty much done in a day or two. And then once he went home, he would send me video back, and I'm like, 'Yeah, that's it, man.' Talk about a pretty easy guy to work with. He's special."