Dodgers News: Gavin Lux Impressed by Mookie Betts' Seamless Move to Shortstop
If there was anyone in this world who didn't believe Mookie Betts was a world-class athlete heading into this season, it's safe to assume they've changed their mind by now.
Betts, who is a six-time Gold Glove award winner in right field, was planning on playing some second base this season for the Dodgers. Then, the Dodgers' middle infield was hit with the injury bug, and Betts ended up playing some shortstop for the first time in his MLB career.
Shortstop is considered to be one of the most difficult positions on a baseball diamond, especially for someone who, you know, has never played it at the big league level. For Mookie, though, his days at shortstop have just been another day at the ballpark.
Betts' seamless transition to shortstop has impressed just about everyone, including the guy who was supposed to play that role for the Dodgers this season.
Gavin Lux, who's out for the year with a torn ACL he suffered in spring training, was asked about his thoughts on Betts playing some shortstop this year for the depleted Dodgers infield. He, like the rest of us, is in awe of Betts' abilities (per Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register).
"It’s pretty cool seeing how well he can play shortstop. It’s incredible," Lux said. "I don’t know if the average fan understands how hard it is to go from right field and play shortstop in the major leagues. I mean, I had a hard time going from shortstop to second base. People don’t realize how hard it is. It’s really crazy."
To the average person, Betts' move to shortstop was crazy. To the players, however, it was probably pretty unheard of.
Like Lux said, he had trouble moving from shortstop to second base, which seems like it would be a much easier transition than what Betts has done. But for Mookie, it's been as seamless a transition as any.
Betts likely isn't going to play a lot of shortstop for the Dodgers this year. Chris Taylor is playing better, and Miguel Rojas is back and healthy now, too. So, they'll probably take the majority of the reps there this season.
However, we definitely haven't seen the last of Betts at the six-spot this season, and when he's there, it's always going to be must-watch.
