Los Angeles Dodgers star Mookie Betts has become one of the most versatile defenders in baseball over the past few seasons. Once known exclusively as a Gold Glove-winning outfielder, Betts has transitioned to the infield, spending time at second base and, more recently, shortstop. With Betts now firmly planted at short, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has made the team’s plans crystal clear.

Dave Roberts Says Mookie Betts Is Staying at Shortstop
Roberts told reporters that Betts is committed to shortstop moving forward and will not be returning to the outfield. He acknowledged that Betts is still learning some of the nuances of the position but praised his instincts and athleticism.
“His ability to get off on the ball is as good as anybody in baseball,” Roberts said.
Betts won six consecutive Gold Gloves in right field from 2016 to 2022, but the Dodgers moved him to the infield due to injuries and inconsistency from Gavin Lux, who has since been traded to the Cincinnati Reds. Betts initially filled in at second base before agreeing to take on the challenge of playing shortstop full time.
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman recently said that Betts’ willingness to shift positions gave the front office flexibility to re-sign Teoscar Hernández and bring in Michael Conforto to strengthen the outfield.
Betts has clearly put in the work. According to Defensive Runs Saved, Betts is currently three runs above average at shortstop. Statcast’s Outs Above Average metric has him at plus-four—an impressive turnaround from 2024, when he finished the season four outs below average. He’s also cleaned up his fielding, making just three errors in 52 games this year, compared to nine errors in 65 games at short last season.
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While his defense has taken a leap forward, Betts is going through a bit of a slump at the plate. His current .742 OPS would mark the lowest of his career over a full season. His .254 batting average and .405 slugging percentage are also trending toward career lows.
Roberts isn’t too concerned and believes the issue is mechanical. He noted that Betts has been working hard on his swing and sees signs that a turnaround could be on the horizon.
Despite the dip in power, Betts is still showing elite plate discipline. His 9.4% strikeout rate is the lowest of his career, and he’s drawing walks at a strong clip. Advanced metrics also suggest that Betts has been unlucky.
Statcast data shows Betts is in the 100th percentile in sweet-spot contact, meaning he’s squaring up the ball as well as anyone in the league. His expected batting average of .272 indicates that better results could be right around the corner.
For the Dodgers, the bet on Betts playing shortstop continues to look like a smart one. Even if he’s not at peak production with the bat just yet, he’s giving them strong defense up the middle, elite baseball IQ, and plenty of lineup stability.
With a long season ahead and a deep roster around him, Betts could still be primed for a big second half—one that reminds everyone why he remains one of the most valuable players in the game.