Team USA fans react to seeing Mookie Betts practicing at second base in preparation for World Baseball Classic: "Mookie could play any position"
As Team USA gears up for the World Baseball Classic this week, Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts was spotted turning plays as a second baseman at practice Tuesday.
It's not a completely uncommon position for Betts, who has played a handful of games at second for the Dodgers over the past three seasons. He was drafted as an infielder and played on the dirt until the Boston Red Sox moved him to the outfield in 2014 when he was with Double-A Portland and Triple-A Pawtucket in the minor leagues.
@MLBNetwork @Dodgers @MLBMookie Betts is here, turning double plays at second base. 👀 @MLBNetwork @Dodgers @MLB https://t.co/kNewq0B34G
Playing the vast majority of his major league career in the outfield, Betts has won a Most Valuable Player Award, two World Series, six Gold Gloves and five Silver Slugger awards and has made six All-Star Game appearances.
However, he's always shown an eagerness to get back into the infield as much as possible and took the opportunity for Team USA – even if it was just in practice.
@jonmorosi @MLBNetwork @Dodgers @MLB Mookie could play any position, would not be surprised to see him take a gold glove there too.
@jonmorosi @MLBNetwork @Dodgers @MLB The guy can dunk, has a 200 plus bowling average, an MVP, six gold gloves, six all star appearances, five silver sluggers. I think making a turn on a double play in an infield drill probably easier than anything else.
@jonmorosi @CJMonroe_10 @MLBNetwork @Dodgers @MLB Aaaaaan he wins the gold glove
With all of Betts' laurels, there's one thing he doesn't have yet: a World Baseball Classic championship. He was not on the Team USA roster that won the 2017 WBC. If it takes playing at second base to make that dream a reality, then one can likely count Betts in. Although the team's likely starting second baseman, Jeff McNeil of the New York Mets, might not be too pleased about that.
@jonmorosi @MLBNetwork @Dodgers @MLB Now we know why he's playing in the classic lol
@jonmorosi @MLBNetwork @Dodgers @MLB Omg that’s so amazing
@jonmorosi @MLBNetwork @Dodgers @MLB Lets see it happen game speed and not "walk-through" speed
Los Angeles Dodgers fans and rivals both seemed to enjoy the clip of Betts at second base for the USA. One of the more gifted five-tool players in MLB, most believe that Betts could play just about any of the nine positions on the diamond.
That’s my 2nd baseman twitter.com/jonmorosi/stat…
🤩🤩 twitter.com/jonmorosi/stat…
They should do the thing where Mookie plays an inning at every position. #Dodgers twitter.com/jonmorosi/stat…
And, yes, Betts was originally an infielder. Although he only saw 15 games at his native second base with the Red Sox – 14 of which came in his first major league season of 2014. He saw one more game at second with Boston in 2018.
@jonmorosi @MLBNetwork @Dodgers @MLB He was drafted as a 2b...
Betts a main part of the Team USA offensive juggernaut
Team USA has more than enough offense to propel the squad to a second-straight World Baseball Classic championship if the pitching staff can keep a lid on the opposition.
The USA features a staggering array of offensive punches with Mike Trout, Paul Goldschmidt, Pete Alonso, Nolan Arenado, Trea Turner and Betts among the MLB stars set to swing the bat for the defending champions.