Issues have been slightly distinctive for Dodgers star Mookie Betts this season.

When Betts made his MLB debut for the Boston Crimson Sox in 2014, he performed second base on the time and he was considered a flexible defender. After that debut, Betts discovered himself patrolling proper discipline at Fenway Park, a place he performed completely for years each in Boston and since he was traded to LA.

Effectively, it’s been a return to his roots in 2023 as Betts has performed each second base and shortstop this yr along with his regular proper discipline duties.

Betts has performed extraordinarily effectively when he’s been within the infield each together with his glove and bat, and Dodgers supervisor Dave Roberts has observed a spark on the plate when he’s been taking part in on the grime.

“I do suppose that we’re beginning to see a great pattern or pattern,” Dodgers supervisor Dave Roberts stated. “Mookie likes being on the grime. It retains him recent, it retains him concerned, it retains him extra dynamic, I believe, and that actually might unlock some issues. You’ve obtained to take observe and see what’s occurring there.”

Through SportsNet LA

The skipper has a degree, as Betts is hitting .331 this yr within the 34 whole video games he’s performed at an infield spot. That’s compared to a .243 mark within the 61 video games when he’s been patrolling proper discipline. That additionally coincides with the latest torrid stretch that Betts is on heading into the All-Star break, as he’s hitting .365 with 9 residence runs and 19 RBI over his final 15 video games.

As for the veteran himself although, he doesn’t agree, as he stated this after going 3-for-4 with a homer and 4 RBI in LA’s win Friday over the Angels — a recreation the place Betts began at second base earlier than transferring to proper.

“I gained an MVP in proper discipline. So, that’s my argument to that. It doesn’t actually matter the place I play, the field is the field and protection is protection, they’re two separate issues and I hold them that method.”

I can see Betts’ level right here as a participant would attempt to separate his offensive output from his protection, however the numbers are beginning to bear out that he’s carried out higher on the plate when he’s within the infield.

Is there a real correlation? That’s exhausting to say with certainty, however Betts positively doesn’t imagine so.

Do you suppose that Betts is hitting higher as a result of he’s been within the infield? Ought to this infield experiment flip into extra of a full-time job for him?

You’ll be able to hold forth on that within the feedback!

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