-
Anthony Gharib, ESPN
Mookie Betts will play in much less acquainted territory this season because the Los Angeles Dodgers face the San Diego Padres in South Korea on Wednesday (6:05 a.m. ET on ESPN).
Earlier in spring coaching, Dodgers supervisor Dave Roberts introduced that Betts, who has primarily appeared within the outfield all through his profession, will swap to shortstop. Roberts stated the transfer is “everlasting, for now.”
Betts hung out between taking part in outfield, shortstop and second base final season — he began 12 video games at shortstop. He additionally began 13 video games on the place within the minor leagues.
Just one participant in MLB historical past has began 100 video games at shortstop in a season after profitable a Gold Glove within the outfield, in line with ESPN Stats & Info. Tom Tresh did in 1968 for the New York Yankees. Betts is a six-time Gold Glove winner as an outfielder.
Betts may also turn out to be the fifth participant within the growth period (since 1961) to primarily play shortstop in a season for the primary time in his profession after turning 30 years previous, in line with Elias Sports activities Bureau.
This is a take a look at how the opposite 4 fared.
Stats: 81 begins, 107 video games performed
The present New York Mets shortstop spent most of his profession taking part in at second and third base. Final season with the Miami Marlins, 33-year-old Wendle had 218 assists and 46 double performs, each the second-most of his profession. Nevertheless, he had a career-low .212 batting common with 20 RBIs and two residence runs.
Jamey Carroll, 2010
Stats: 64 begins, 69 video games performed
Much like Wendle, Carroll had rotated from second and third base throughout his profession. Then with the Dodgers, once they had been and not using a shortstop in 2010, he turned a part of the rotation.
His 64 begins on the place that season are the very best of his profession. He break up time with Rafael Furcal, who made 91 begins in 93 appearances at shortstop.
Carroll had 195 assists, 32 double performs and simply 4 errors. He made 90 begins the remainder of his profession, however by no means on the price of 2010.
Nick Inexperienced, 2009
Stats: 74 begins, 81 video games performed
At 30 years previous, Inexperienced simply makes the lower. After struggling to search out his approach within the majors, the Boston Crimson Sox used Inexperienced as their major shortstop in 2009.
He had 74 begins and 81 video games on the place, which had been each career-highs. Inexperienced had 221 assists — the second-most on the crew — and 43 double performs — the third-most. He additionally batted .236 and had career-highs in residence runs (6) and RBIs (35).
He was lower by the Dodgers the following season, opening the shortstop spot for Carroll.
Mike Lansing, 2001
Stats: 71 begins, 76 video games performed
Within the ultimate season of his MLB profession, Lansing had a robust yr at a place he’d appeared at simply 67 instances earlier than.
He had 172 assists and 37 double performs, each excessive marks of his time at shortstop. He additionally batted .301, the very best because the 1998 season, with 43 RBIs and eight residence runs.
Tom Tresh, 1968
Stats: 116 begins, 119 video games performed
Of all of the gamers to maneuver to shortstop primarily, Tresh is essentially the most distinctive.
He received Rookie of the 12 months in 1962 because the Yankees predominant shortstop. He shifted to the outfield from 1963 to 1967, the place he received a Gold Glove in 1965.
Tresh ultimately returned again to his previous place. He had a profession excessive 409 assists and 70 double performs, each the second-highest on the crew, however batted a career-low .195.