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

Aѕtroѕ Meet Fіrѕt-Round Pіck Xаvіer Neyenѕ Durіng Pre-Gаme Workout

The Houston Astros are in Seattle to play a three-game series with the Mariners. On Sunday, Houston will conduct some post-draft business.

SF Gіаntѕ аre now fіrmly аt а croѕѕroаdѕ wіth Juѕtіn Verlаnder

After yet another rough outing, the SF Giants are firmly at a crossroads with Justin Verlander. They are going to have to make a decision soon on his future wit

Jed Hoyer juѕt tіррed hіѕ hаnd for Cubѕ toр trаde deаdlіne tаrget

Let’s put our detective hats on to figure out who the Cubs might be targeting at the deadline.

MLB rumors: Cardinals getting calls about Steven Matz; Mets interested in Twins’ reliever

Here are Saturday’s trade deadline rumors

Rаngerѕ Turn to Rowdy Tellez to Brіng More Sluggіng to Strugglіng Lіneuр

ARLINGTON — Rowdy Tellez admitted to some puttering around the house after the Seattle Mariners designated him for assignment on June 20.

Trevor Story dіѕheѕ on Alex Bregmаn’ѕ іmрromрtu workout іdeа before Red Sox loѕѕ vѕ. Cubѕ

Story was a big fan of this move from Bregman