The Mookie Betts experiment at shortstop goes to make a return throughout spring coaching.
The Los Angeles Dodgers stay assured that Betts can be their Opening Day shortstop, anticipating that an offseason of labor with new first-base coach Chris Woodward will result in defensive enhancements — one thing troublesome to attain throughout his temporary stint on the place final season.
“I really feel like I’m only a fully new individual on the market,” Betts mentioned of his work on the place this winter throughout Dodger Fest on Saturday.
Dodgers normal supervisor Brandon Gomes made Betts’ transfer again to the infield official through the Winter Conferences, saying Betts was going to be given a chance on the place once more.
“He’s prepared for the problem,” Gomes mentioned. “He looks like, with a full offseason, he can go and sort out that. Like we’ve mentioned earlier than, he’s one of many guys that I definitely wouldn’t guess in opposition to.”
Betts, a six-time Gold Glove winner in proper subject, transitioned to second base throughout spring coaching final yr, then shifted to shortstop to start out the season earlier than returning to proper subject on Aug. 12 after recovering from a fractured hand.
Extra information: Former Crimson Sox Exec: Mookie Betts May Have Stayed if Boston Provided Deferrals Like Dodgers
He began 61 video games at shortstop, committing 9 errors — eight on throws. The Dodgers imagine that with extra expertise and a full offseason to arrange, he can thrive defensively on the place.
“I feel with Mook what was most spectacular, for those who have a look at all the most difficult elements of the place, he does very well. And the place he struggled was throwing,” Gomes mentioned. “You go watch him in proper subject it’s probably the greatest arms within the sport. It’s extremely correct.
“So these issues which can be most difficult to show — getting off the ball, vary, making distinctive performs, his pre-pitch timing — he nailed these. It was actually syncing up his throw from that as a result of he’s been so used to the outfield throw. So I feel that’ll be nearly all of his work is how does he entry what’s an elite arm and have that translate to the infield.”
With Betts penciled in at brief, Tommy Edman will play extra heart subject. Hyeseong Kim will most certainly play second base and Miguel Rojas will return to his utility backup position. The identical goes for Chris Taylor.
Extra information: Mookie Betts Calls Becoming a member of Dodgers ‘Greatest Factor That’s Ever Occurred’ in His Life
Photograph Credit score: Kim Hong-Ji/Reuters by way of USA TODAY Sports activities
Have you ever joined our Discord Channel but? Be part of the last word Dodgers Nation neighborhood and get VIP Nation Entry! Don’t miss out on real-time Dodgers speak, call-in entry to Dodgers Dougout, behind-the-scenes content material, unique interviews, giveaways, and extra!
