Mookie Betts, Dodgers Shortstop… Kim Ha-seong’s Defensive Battle in the Seoul Series
The Los Angeles Dodgers of the Major League Baseball (MLB) replaced their starting shortstop with Mookie Betts 11 days ahead of the official opening of the 2024 MLB season.
Betts started as the number one hitter and shortstop in the MLB exhibition game against the Cincinnati Reds, where a ‘no game due to rain’ was declared before the bottom of the fifth inning, starting at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Arizona, USA on the 9th (Korean time).
Originally, the Dodgers planned to form the 2024 keystone combination of second baseman Betts and shortstop Gavin Lux.
However, as Lux revealed a throwing problem, coach Dave Roberts made a decision. 파워볼
In an interview with local media such as MLB.com on the 9th, Manager Roberts said, “Using Betts as a shortstop is a way to reduce our team’s runs lost as much as possible,” and added, “Using Lux, who feels psychological burden, as a second baseman is the most appropriate decision for the team.”
“For the time being, it is okay to view Betts as a ‘built-in shortstop.’”
In his MLB career, Betts played 8,121⅓ innings as a right fielder and only 98 innings as a shortstop.
He played second base for 713 innings.
Betts accepted Coach Roberts’ decision, saying, “Playing as the Dodgers’ shortstop is a huge burden, but it’s also fun.
The most important thing is for the team to win.”
On this day, Betts was unable to accurately catch Christian Encarnacion’s deep ground ball toward third base in the second inning.
The record was a hit that ‘hit the shortstop and flowed toward left field.’
However, in the second inning with no outs on first and third base, he caught Stuart Fairchild’s ground ball well and quickly threw it to second base.
After consistently playing as a shortstop in the remaining exhibition games, Betts plans to move to Korea and participate in the MLB opening two-game Seoul Series held at the Gocheok Sky Dome in Guro-gu, Seoul on the 20th and 21st.
Ha-seong Kim is the starting shortstop for the San Diego Padres, who are playing the Seoul Series with the Dodgers.
Ha-Seong Kim won the MLB National League Utility Fielder Gold Glove Award last year, beating Betts.
At Gocheok Dome, a defensive battle between starting shortstop Kim Ha-seong and Betts will take place.