Mookie Betts is successfully transitioning from right fielder to shortstop this season, a move encouraged by Dodgers infield coach Chris Woodward. Despite a rocky trial last year, Betts is currently regarded as an above-average Major League shortstop, with manager Dave Roberts noting no plans for a position switch like in previous seasons. This change challenges Betts to not just belong but to master shortstop, making his development a crucial factor for the team's championship aspirations as the season progresses.
Before the start of the season, Dodgers first base and infield coach Chris Woodward pulled Mookie Betts aside one day, and had him envision the ultimate end result. "You're gonna be standing at shortstop when we win the World Series," Woodward told Betts, the former Gold Glove right fielder in the midst of an almost unprecedented mid-career position switch.
I would say, right now he's playing above-average shortstop, Major League shortstop," manager Dave Roberts said this week. "Which is amazing, considering he just took this position up.
I don't see us making a change [like] we did last year. I don't see that happening," Roberts said. "He's a major league shortstop, on a championship club.
Getting to that, even when he's as good as he is now, there's still a lot to learn," Woodward said. "He's done good up to this point. So how do we maintain that [progress]?
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