From an outfield Gold Glove winner to an elite shortstop! Betts successfully transforms into a key player for the Dodgers

On October 7th, which is exactly Mookie Betts’ 33rd birthday, the Dodgers star was gifted with a successful shift from a Gold Glove-winning outfielder to a premier shortstop in the league. Manager Dave Roberts described this transformation as “unprecedented,” and Betts’ crucial defensive alignment in the bottom of the ninth inning of Game 2 in the National League Division Series directly helped secure the win, showcasing his value as an infield cornerstone and giving the Dodgers a 2-0 lead, just one step away from advancing.

In that tense inning, Betts took the initiative to call for an infield “rotation shift,” effectively stopping the Phillies’ comeback attempt. Despite the praise from outside, Betts remained humble: “I think it was just a basic strategy, like the Lakers winning with a 2-3 zone defense. We just executed it well at a critical moment.”

Betts’ transition was not smooth; during his first attempt at shortstop in 2024, he committed as many as nine errors in a single season, a career high, and after an injury, he was moved back to right field. However, he didn’t give up—he practiced diligently in the offseason and sought advice from teammate Miguel Rojas and first base coach Chris Woodward. Betts said, “I’m lucky to have Rojas by my side; he has helped me grow a lot mentally.”

After a year of hard work, Betts has become a defensive pillar for the team. This year, he leads all shortstops with 17 Defensive Runs Saved (DRS). Yet he faced setbacks, losing 18 pounds due to gastroenteritis during spring training and struggling offensively early in the season. At one point in August, he even felt “this season was doomed.” But this mindset shift fueled his focus, resulting in a .317 batting average over the last 47 games of the season, carrying that hot streak into the playoffs with a current series average of .389, leading the Dodgers just one step away from the National League Championship Series.

Betts is no longer just a “fill-in shortstop.” His mentor Rojas proudly said, “I’m proud not only of how he plays shortstop but also of him becoming a leader in the infield. He’s learned through game experience and has had an outstanding defensive season this year. He is becoming a truly versatile shortstop.”