“My season’s kind of over,” that’s what Mookie Betts said earlier this month. It seemed strange to hear that. This was the same man who hit 39 home runs and drove in 107 runs in 2024, when he hit .307 against other pitchers. So why the sudden defeat? At the start of the season, Betts was having a hard time with a .218 batting average and only 8 home runs till July 15th. Reason? A change in position. But things have changed, and so have his replies!

At the start of the season, the Dodgers decided to change Mookie Betts’ position from RF to SS. And looking at his numbers, he clearly struggled. Many insiders/analysts believed that it was a wrong move, including Ken Rosenthal. But it changed! In his last 15 games, he started hitting again with an average of .328 with 2 homers, and 7 RBIs in 61 at-bats. And that change in rhythm was visible in his answers as well.

As reported by Dodgers Nation, when asked if he’s proven to himself that shortstop is in his wheelhouse, Mookie Betts gave a straightforward answer. He said, “I feel like that was mostly to y’all, not to me. I know what I’m capable of, what I can do.” Well, that optimism is what he and the Dodgers need with the playoffs looming closer.

The Insiders might have wanted him to change the position, but Betts never said anything about it. He has always been open to playing where the team wants him. As he once mentioned, “I’ll play wherever. Whatever it takes.” And he is proving that.

But recent rumors around Dodger Stadium hint that the argument over the position may not be over yet. There were speculations of a secret meeting between Betts, manager Dave Roberts, and president Andrew Friedman after the team lost to the Rockies. As per those rumors, the three talked about the idea of sending Mookie Betts back to right field, where he could take Teoscar Hernandez’s place in the lineup.

Hernandez has struggled against the Rockies in 3 or 4 walk-offs on Monday. He missed a catch in right field, which led to a double with one out in the ninth inning. And Hernández also missed a fly ball in the third inning, and his overall defense in right field has not been very good. But there’s no confirmation yet!

Even with all the noise—his poor start, worries about his position, and even whispers that he would move back to right field—Betts has been steadily moving on. His hitting is getting better, and his glove is getting a lot of acclaim. The Dodgers are reaping the advantages. The most recent proof came in the series against the Reds, when he reminded everyone why the squad trusted him.

From shortstop doubts to game-changer: Betts lifts Dodgers in 7-0 win

In the bottom of the seventh inning, Mookie Betts hit his 14th home run of the season, which was the final blow in the Dodgers’ 7-0 triumph over the Reds. Betts hit an 82.0 mph sweeper from Cincinnati lefty Alex Young Moll and sent it 352 feet into the left-field corner. The ball came off his bat at 101 mph and at a 22-degree angle, making the Los Angeles Dodgers’ advantage 6-0 and basically ending the game.

That swing wasn’t just about power; it was a sign that Betts was getting better at shortstop. He was questioned about the change in his position, but now he’s demonstrating his value both at the plate and in the field. Betts’ home run proves once again that his bat can change the course of a game in an instant.

The numbers tell the other side of the story when it comes to defense. Betts is tied for second among shortstops in Defensive Runs Saved, behind only Taylor Walls of Tampa Bay. It’s surprising that a player known for right field ranks so high at such a challenging position.

The Dodgers’ win wasn’t just another shutout; it showed that Betts had found his balance again. His 14th home run, along with his top-notch defensive stats, fits neatly into the bigger story of his season: the switch to shortstop may have been rough at first, but now he’s showing why the team trusted him to do it.