Dave Roberts: Mookie Betts ‘Going To Get Better’ At Shortstop With More Experience

The Los Angeles Dodgers lost in Freeway Series finale against the Los Angeles Angels, which featured Mookie Betts back at shortstop after playing second base the night prior.

Making the jump from right field, initially to second base, and now shortstop out of necessity, Betts has welcomed the challenge of a demanding middle infield position. There have been several tough plays made that look routine, while some hiccups remind growing pains are to be expected.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts discussed his Betts’ shortstop experience thus far, noting that his continued work will land him in a good place, per Mike DiGiovanna of the L.A. Times:

“I think it’s just one of those things where he’s got to continue to get repetitions,” Roberts said. “Ball to his right, ball to his left … there are a lot of plays that he hasn’t seen yet that he’s going to see and have different chances. I’m just glad it happened now, and he’s only going to get better with repetitions.”

Betts’ athleticism and desire to be great at multiple things is a likely factor in the Dodgers’ faith in him being a capable option at shortstop. Without mentioning his ability to impact a game on the offensive end, Betts at minimum figures to be a fine stopgap in the interim.

The Dodgers pivoting away from their original plan from Gavin Lux at shortstop was a quick decision, but having Betts willing and able to take over is a stroke of good fortune.

Mookie Betts wants to win Gold Glove

Betts has won six Gold Glove Awards in his career, all while playing right field. His most recent came in 2022 and the 31-year-old is still eyeing another, even after his second position swap since the end of the 2023 season.

Betts’ desire to add a seventh Gold Glove to his collection is more of a personal benchmark that he hopes comes within the Dodgers’ pursuit of a World Series.