As the National League entered its third season featuring a designated hitter, the Los Angeles Dodgers opted for a notable change by signing J.D. Martinez to a one-year deal for the 2023 campaign. Martinez arrived fresh off an All-Star season with the Boston Red Sox, where he batted .274/.341/.448, hit 16 home runs, and posted a strong weighted runs created plus (wRC+) of 119. Throughout that year, he primarily served as the designated hitter, a role he maintained with the Dodgers.
This signing reunited Martinez with Mookie Betts, rekindling a friendship formed during their time together on the 2018 World Series-winning Red Sox squad. As Betts faced the toughest slump of his career, the two players reconnected in a bid to improve Betts’s performance at the plate.
J.D. Martinez Provides Crucial Support Amid Betts’s Hitting Challenges
Mookie Betts’s offensive struggles drew attention as he entered a notably difficult stretch. According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, Martinez traveled to Tampa to help Betts by working together at a batting cage last weekend. The visit aimed to offer Betts hands-on guidance and insight to break through his slump.
The timing of this intervention was critical since Betts had experienced a series of tough outings. After a three-hit performance on Tuesday, Betts remained cautious about declaring any turnaround, emphasizing the need for consistent results over multiple games before feeling confident about his progress. In the following game against the St. Louis Cardinals, he managed only one hit in four at-bats. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, however, expressed optimism based on the quality of Betts’s swings, noting that even his misses often looked like the right kind of contact for a hitter of Betts’s caliber.
“I think the hits are Mookie-esque as far as hitting the ball hard to the pull side. Up the middle, hitting it flat to the shortstop’s left, that’s kind of what he does,”
Roberts said, highlighting the normalcy in Betts’s approach despite recent struggles.
“When he’s popping up to the first baseman or to shallow right field, those aren’t his misses. So when he’s taking the swings that he’s accustomed to taking, then I feel like it’s sustainable.”
Betts Highlights Martinez’s Role as a Steady Influence
Throughout his career, J.D. Martinez has been recognized as a batting expert, a reputation that followed him into his stint with the Dodgers. In August 2023, Betts publicly acknowledged the impact Martinez has had on his efforts to refine his hitting and sustain focus at the plate.
Betts praised Martinez’s persistence and encouragement during difficult times, crediting him as a key figure who keeps him accountable regardless of his or the team’s performance.
“Being with Freddie (Freeman) the last couple years, he’s definitely taught me not to give away at-bats,”
Betts said, referencing another strong offensive presence on the team.
“But I think the main person is J.D. He’s been the main one to just stay on me, no matter how good or bad I’m playing, how good we’re playing, what the score is. You’ve got to take your at-bat.”
Betts also emphasized the importance of camaraderie within the Dodgers clubhouse, noting how Martinez and teammates like Freeman contribute not only baseball advice but also personal support that keeps morale high in tense moments.
“I think those things go a long way, especially when we’re in the sixth inning and we need a big hit right here. You know you’ve got your brothers cheering for you, and you want to do it for your brothers. Those guys definitely supply that for me, and J.D. has been staying on me a lot.”
The Importance of Martinez’s Mentorship for the Dodgers’ Season
The collaboration between Mookie Betts and J.D. Martinez signifies more than just friendship; it represents a strategic effort by the Dodgers to revitalize their offense through veteran guidance. Martinez’s willingness to assist Betts during a slump demonstrates the value of experienced players supporting each other to overcome challenges. With the Dodgers navigating a competitive National League in 2023, Betts regaining his optimal form is vital to their postseason aspirations.
Manager Dave Roberts’s confidence in Betts’s approach at the plate suggests that the adjustment period may be nearing an end, especially with Martinez’s influence. How this mentorship unfolds could have a meaningful effect on Betts’s contributions and the Dodgers’ overall success as the season progresses.