Mookie Betts earns massive endorsement from Gold Glove shortstop
Mookie Betts’ incredible, late career transition to shortstop earns serious praise.
Mookie Betts delivered the go-ahead run in Game 5 of the 2024 World Series, helping secure the title for the Los Angeles Dodgers in a gentleman’s sweep of the New York Yankees. There’s never been any doubt regarding the talents of the 11-year veteran. But now Betts will embark on his most challenging endeavor to date.
Betts will make the transition to shortstop full time in 2025. He’s started 81 of his 1,219 career games at the position entering this season. Former shortstop Troy Tulowitzki has been helping Betts make the switch from outfield to infield and the two-time Gold Glove winner has been extremely impressed with Betts’ progress.
“I wouldn’t say this for anybody else that’s just spent however many years in the outfield and then go to the infield… But I can truly tell you, I think he can be an elite defender at the position – which is just crazy to say,” Tulowitzki acknowledged via Dodgers Nation on X.
The transition Betts is undertaking is all the more impressive considering he had spent nearly his entire career in the outfield heading into this season. And Betts won six Gold Gloves for his work in right field.
“I couldn’t believe the strides that he made… I say to do something, and it’s pretty much done in a day or two. And then once he went home, he would send me video back, and I’m like, ‘Yeah, that’s it, man.’ Talk about a pretty easy guy to work with. He’s special,” Tulowitzki added.
