For Mookie Betts, transition to MLB shortstop success marked a surprising turnaround in 2024 after initial difficulties at the demanding position. Once considered a “fail” at shortstop during the previous season, Betts has since transformed his game, emerging as one of the most reliable defensive players for the Los Angeles Dodgers this year.
Last year, Betts struggled noticeably after moving away from his comfort zone in right field to take on the challenging role of shortstop, a position he had not played since high school. Despite his extraordinary athleticism and achievements, including three World Series championships, an MVP award, and six Gold Gloves in the outfield, he faced a steep learning curve defensively. Yet, the 32-year-old outfielder-turned-shortstop committed himself to constant improvement, dedicating countless hours to refine his skills with help from Dodgers’ coaching staff.
Focused Training and Relentless Practice Drive Progress
At Citi Field last weekend, even as rain fell, Betts adhered to a rigorous pregame routine under the supervision of first base coach and infield instructor Chris Woodward. Their drills targeted the fundamentals of shortstop defense, concentrating on hand skills and lower body mechanics—starting with one-hop grounders and progressing to forehand and backhand pickups, both stationary and in motion. Betts explained the frequency and intensity of this regimen, stating, “Every day, I’m working.”
Betts’s daily discipline underscores his commitment not only to mastering the skill set required but also to supporting the Dodgers’ strategic roster needs. Woodward, recognizing the mental and physical toll of playing shortstop, described the relentless focus required:
“Your brain starts fatiguing you because he doesn’t miss a pitch. That’s the one thing we demand of him, that I demand of him, you can’t take a pitch off. Like, not one pitch and that wears you down after a while. In the outfield, I see outfielders looking and working on their swing. You can’t do that.”
Understanding the Physical and Mental Demands of the Position
Shortstop, alongside catcher, is widely regarded as the most physically demanding defensive position, requiring fast reflexes, leadership, and constant engagement. Betts transitioned into this role to optimize the Dodgers’ lineup despite the older age and smaller stature for a typical shortstop. Standing 5-foot-10 and weighing 180 pounds, Betts is more compact compared to peers like Carlos Correa and Trevor Story, both known for their professional shortstop careers but now feeling the wear of the position at ages 30 and 32, respectively.
While Correa and Story have seen their offensive production decline amid the rigorous physical demands of shortstop, Betts embraces the challenge as part of his all-around contribution.
“It’s fun when it’s something that I’ve never done,”
Betts said.
“So, anytime, somebody’s doing something new, like myself especially, I guess you just embrace and enjoy those challenges. But, really, it’s just to help the team be able to re-sign guys and bring new faces to help the team. So it’s kind of what it is.”
Mookie Betts’ Athleticism and Versatility Defy Expectations
Known for his remarkable athletic prowess beyond baseball, Betts is a rare multi-sport talent, excelling at activities from ping pong to one-on-one basketball, where his leaping ability stands out despite his relatively modest height. However, shortstop presented a unique hurdle that required failure and persistence, a process foreign to the star who is usually dominant at anything he tries. His perseverance has been rewarded, as evidenced by advanced defensive metrics placing him in the top tier among MLB shortstops in 2024.
According to Baseball Savant data, Betts is tied for fifth in Defensive Runs Saved (4), ranks in the 91st percentile for range, and sits in the 82nd percentile for fielding run value. These impressive numbers confirm his rapid adaptation to the position, especially notable considering he made his last shortstop appearance in high school before committing to the role for 61 starts this season.
Building Confidence Through Experience and Offseason Preparation
Betts acknowledges the steep learning curve he faced:
“Nobody comes in and just does something to that magnitude successfully right off the bat. Nobody that I’ve seen. I played a lot of games last year to build up some experience, so I knew what to expect. And now I got to spend a little time this offseason actually training for it so it’s made it a little better. I still wouldn’t say I’m good at it but I’m serviceable.”
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has noticed Betts’s improvement firsthand. Reflecting on his shortstop play this season, Roberts said,
“He looks like a major-league shortstop right now,”
contrasting with many moments of uncertainty last year.
The Ongoing Challenge of Balancing Defense and Offense
The rigorous demands of playing shortstop have inevitably influenced Betts’s offensive output. Through 2024, he holds a .254 batting average with a .338 on-base percentage, a .405 slugging percentage, and an OPS of .743 with eight home runs. These figures fall short of his usual standards and suggest the positional workload may weigh on his physical performance, especially when sprinting down baselines.
Nevertheless, Betts’s past achievements and character indicate he will continue to find ways to elevate his game. His ability to adapt and contribute to the Dodgers, a franchise with championship aspirations and one of baseball’s deepest rosters, reinforces his value and underscores his commitment to team success.
Shortstop: A Demanding Position Few Embrace Permanently
Chris Woodward emphasized the uniqueness and difficulty of sustaining a long-term shortstop career, remarking,
“That’s not a position guys come to. It’s a position guys leave.”
This insight highlights how rare Betts’s sustained effort and success at the position truly is, especially so late in his career.
Mookie Betts’s journey from struggling at shortstop to excelling in one of baseball’s toughest roles not only highlights his exceptional talent but also exemplifies resilience and dedication. His continued development will be critical for the Dodgers’ 2024 championship push and could define his legacy as one of the game’s greatest all-around players.