Mookie embraces move to shortstop: 'You can put me wherever'
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SEOUL -- When manager Dave Roberts called Mookie Betts into his office nearly two weeks ago, the Dodgers superstar didn’t know what to expect. It was the middle of Spring Training and his focus had been on re-learning the intricacies of second base.
Once Roberts told Betts the Dodgers would like to move him to shortstop, the 2018 American League Most Valuable Player was understandably surprised. In that particular moment, nobody would’ve blamed Betts if he would have pushed back and was skeptical of the move. After all, Betts was already making a significant position change, moving from right field, where he has won six Gold Glove Awards, to second base.
Instead, Betts saw it as a challenge. He didn’t need any convincing from Roberts. Betts was all in.
“The most important thing for me is winning,” Betts said. “You can put me wherever. As long as I’m on the diamond, I’m going to do the best I can do and we’ll see what happens after that.”
Since becoming the everyday shortstop, it’s been an up-and-down experience for Betts. The first few games, it was apparent that Betts hadn’t played the position on a consistent basis in over a decade. On some plays, however, Betts was showing glimpses of why the Dodgers believe having him play the premium position is what’s best for this year’s team.
“I’m a lot more confident,” Betts said. “But it’s going to take experience to really grow the confidence. But going out there, taking the field, I feel I can make every play. I think that’s a really important mindset for me to have going forward.”
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In the week leading up to the Opening Series in Seoul, Betts played four of the last five Cactus League games on the schedule. That’s more than any other regular on the team. Before those games, Betts was often the first player in the back fields going through early infield work.
The day Betts was off, he also spent added time on his footwork and getting important repetitions throwing across the diamond. It’s become an obsession for Betts, and he has been loving every second of the challenge.
“I think the most important thing I’ve learned is that I can do it,” Betts said. “I really believe I can do it. I trust I can do it. The coaches believe in me. We’re putting in all the work. I think just that positive mindset will take me a long way.”
Betts has shown that he can make the routine plays at the position. The hardest adjustments, however, are adapting to the simple things that come with reps -- like getting used to the different angles. He needs to train his mind to be aware of everything going around the diamond. Cutoff plays that he never had to work on before are now an important responsibility for him.
“Playing shortstops in the big leagues is one of the hardest things to do in sports,” Dodgers infielder Miguel Rojas said. “It’s a premium position. We know you have to have the arm strength, you have to have your legs beneath you and we’re asking a lot of Mookie hitting leadoff. … It’s tough, but I believe [Betts] has been preparing for this.”
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Rojas is right. The Dodgers are asking a lot more than they expected out of Betts. They’ll still need him to be the catalyst of an offense that has the ability to be one of the most potent in big league history. The Dodgers will need to keep a close eye on Betts, making sure he’s not wearing down as the season goes on.
But over the last four seasons, nothing Betts has been able to accomplish has surprised the Dodgers. This is his biggest challenge yet. He believes he’s the right man for the job.
“Absolutely,” Betts admitted, when asked if he has nerves playing the position. “But you just embrace it and trust that the work I’ve been putting in each morning, during practices, after practices is going to come into play. I believe in myself, and that’s the most important thing.”