Exclusive: Dodgers’ Mookie Betts Provides Exciting Update on Playing Shortstop in 2025

The Mookie Betts experiment at shortstop is going to make a return during spring training.

The Los Angeles Dodgers remain confident that Betts will be their Opening Day shortstop, expecting that an offseason of work with new first-base coach Chris Woodward will lead to defensive improvements — something difficult to achieve during his brief stint at the position last season.

“I feel like I’m just a completely new person out there,” Betts said of his work at the position this winter during Dodger Fest on Saturday.

Dodgers' Mookie Betts Provides Exciting Update on Playing Shortstop in 2025  | Dodgers Nation

Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes made Betts’ move back to the infield official during the Winter Meetings, announcing Betts was going to be given an opportunity at the position again.

“He’s ready for the challenge,” Gomes said. “He feels like, with a full offseason, he can go and tackle that. Like we’ve said before, he’s one of the guys that I certainly wouldn’t bet against.”

Betts, a six-time Gold Glove winner in right field, transitioned to second base during spring training last year, then shifted to shortstop to start the season before returning to right field on Aug. 12 after recovering from a fractured hand.

“I think with Mook what was most impressive, if you look at all of the most challenging parts of the position, he does really well. And where he struggled was throwing,” Gomes said. “You go watch him in right field it’s one of the best arms in the game. It’s incredibly accurate.

“So those things that are most challenging to teach — getting off the ball, range, making exceptional plays, his pre-pitch timing — he nailed those. It was really syncing up his throw from that because he’s been so used to the outfield throw.

So I think that’ll be the majority of his work is how does he access what is an elite arm and have that translate to the infield.”

With Betts penciled in at short, Tommy Edman will play more center field. Hyeseong Kim will most likely play second base and Miguel Rojas will return to his utility backup role.

The same goes for Chris Taylor.

Related Posts

BREAKING: Yаnkeeѕ ѕіgn former AL wіnѕ leаder іn free аgency…

аug 14, 2023; аtlаntа, Georgіа, Uѕа; а detаіled vіew of а New York Yаnkeeѕ hаt аnd glove on the bench аgаіnѕt the аtlаntа Brаveѕ іn the thіrd…

Unbelievable!! What Are the Dodgers Getting From the Cubs in the Ryan Brasier Trade?

The Los Angeles Dodgers found a trading partner for right-handed reliever Ryan Brasier on Tuesday night, sending him to the Chicago Cubs. While the return was initially…

BREAKING: Yankees Take Action on Former White Sox Star Following Jazz Chisholm Update

After winning the 2024 American League pennant, the New York Yankees lost star outfielder Juan Soto in free agency to the New York Mets. Falling to the…

BREAKING: Dodgers to Discuss Reunion With Kiké Hernandez, Says GM Brandon Gomes

As SportsNet LA’s studio host John Hartung began rattling off the offseason moves the Los Angeles Dodgers completed, the crowd before him on Saturday at DodgerFest broke…

BREAKING: Yаnkeeѕ ѕіgn former AL wіnѕ leаder іn free аgency

аug 14, 2023; аtlаntа, Georgіа, Uѕа; а detаіled vіew of а New York Yаnkeeѕ hаt аnd glove on the bench аgаіnѕt the аtlаntа Brаveѕ іn the thіrd…

REPORT: Yankees reach deal to bring back lefty reliever Tim Hill

Tim Hill is returning to the Yankees on a one-year, $2.85 million contract with a club option for 2026, according to a report from ESPN’s Jeff Passan…