Mookie Betts isn’t going to again down from a problem, particularly whether it is for the betterment of the crew.
As spring coaching is underway for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Betts has returned to the infield and is seeking to cement himself in baseball historical past because the third participant to ever win a Gold Glove as each an infielder and an outfielder.
Nonetheless, the non-public achievements for Betts aren’t as significant if the crew doesn’t do nicely. He additionally doesn’t care what place he performs as lengthy it helps the crew win ballgames.
“It’s undoubtedly one thing completely different,” Betts stated, by way of MLB.com’s Sonja Chen. “However I’m simply doing what’s greatest for the crew, what I really feel like is greatest for the crew. If it’s right here, it’s right here. If it’s proper, heart, doesn’t matter. I really feel like I’m a baseball participant, and so long as I put a glove on, I really feel like I’m going to be fairly good at it.”
Extra information: Mets Catcher Says New York’s Lineup is Higher Than The Dodgers
Betts initially moved to the infield throughout spring coaching final season however he was purported to play second base. Nonetheless, midway by the spring he switched with Gavin Lux.
His final main league sport on the shortstop place was on June 16, when a hit-by-pitch fractured his left hand, sidelining him for practically two months. Upon his return, he shifted to proper area, the place he has earned six Gold Glove Awards.
“He definitely felt he had unfinished enterprise,” supervisor Dave Roberts stated, “and he popped out to proper area as a result of it was the best determination at the moment given our roster. However I do really feel that … he wished to actually give himself the most effective likelihood to be a prime performer at quick.”
Now that the Dodgers have their full squad at camp, it’s straightforward to see simply how a lot work Betts has put in to grow to be a greater shortstop. He has found which arm slot to throw from and that’s a credit score to his teammate Miguel Rojas, who has labored with Betts all through the offseason.
“He appears to be like far more snug,” Rojas stated, “particularly on the throwing aspect. … Discovering your slot is essential, since you throw the ball from a unique place than once you throw it in proper area. He’s not throwing the ball manner an excessive amount of excessive or on the underside.”
9 of Betts’ errors final season had been from dangerous throws, as soon as he addressed that problem his confidence has soared. If he enters the common season feeling like this, a Gold Glove might be in his future.
Extra information: Dodgers’ Mookie Betts is Carried out Speaking About Final 12 months’s World Collection
Picture Credit score: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Pictures
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