Biographical

Portrait of Mookie Betts

Mookie Betts RFDodgers

Dodgers Player Cards | Dodgers Team Audit | Dodgers Depth Chart

2019 Projections (Preseason PECOTA - seasonal age 26)
PA AVG HR R RBI SB DRC+ WARP
685 .295 26 108 86 28 141 6.4
Birth Date10-7-1992
Height5' 9"
Weight180 lbs
Age31 years, 5 months, 12 days
BatsR
ThrowsR
5.72015
8.02016
5.92017
8.92018
6.42019
proj
WARP Summary

MLB Statistics

YEAR TEAM AGE G PA H 2B 3B HR BB SO HBP SB CS AVG OBP SLG DRC+ DRAA BRR FRAA BWARP
2014 BOS 21 52 213 55 12 1 5 21 31 2 7 3 .291 .368 .444 126 6.0 3.2 -0.6 1.6
2015 BOS 22 145 654 174 42 8 18 46 82 2 21 6 .291 .341 .479 125 21.2 2.3 11.2 5.7
2016 BOS 23 158 730 214 42 5 31 49 80 2 26 4 .318 .363 .534 133 30.8 8.7 24.8 8.0
2017 BOS 24 153 712 166 46 2 24 77 79 2 26 3 .264 .344 .459 115 15.8 6.2 23.9 5.9
2018 BOS 25 136 614 180 47 5 32 81 91 8 30 6 .346 .438 .640 178 59.5 3.8 11.2 8.9
2019 BOS 26 150 706 176 40 5 29 97 101 3 16 3 .295 .391 .524 137 37.5 5.7 13.5 6.9
Career7943629965229261393714641912625.301.374.519136170.829.884.137.0

Statistics for All Levels

'opp' stats - Quality of opponents faced - have been moved and are available only as OPP_QUAL in the Statistics reports now.
Minor league stats are currently shownClick to hide.
YEAR Team Lg LG G PA oppAVG oppOBP oppSLG BABIP BPF BRAA repLVL POS_ADJ DRC+ DRC+ SD FRAA BRR DRAA BWARP
2011 RSX Rk GCL 1 4 .271 .321 .343 .500 98 0.5 0.1 0.1 139 0 -0.2 0.4 0.0 0.0
2012 LOW A- NYP 71 292 .243 .310 .340 .298 89 10.2 8.0 0.3 127 0 3.8 2.2 7.3 2.3
2013 GRN A SAL 76 340 .245 .313 .356 .322 96 27.4 9.6 -0.4 176 0 -6.4 4.7 17.5 2.6
2013 SLM A+ CAR 51 211 .257 .335 .391 .346 110 15.7 6.2 -0.4 175 0 9.3 3.0 11.6 3.0
2014 BOS MLB AL 52 213 .245 .308 .376 .327 102 8.7 5.5 -0.1 126 15 -0.6 3.2 6.0 1.6
2014 PME AA EAS 54 253 .257 .323 .383 .366 103 21.8 7.0 -0.3 184 0 0.7 6.2 18.9 3.5
2014 PAW AAA INT 45 211 .270 .338 .404 .380 101 12.6 6.3 0 165 0 -1.3 2.4 11.8 1.9
2015 BOS MLB AL 145 654 .253 .312 .406 .310 114 16.9 17.7 1 125 8 11.2 2.3 21.2 5.7
2015 PME AA EAS 1 4 .250 .283 .365 .333 86 1.6 0.1 0 146 0 0.1 -0.1 0.1 0.0
2016 BOS MLB AL 158 730 .256 .319 .423 .322 115 24.6 20.6 -7.6 133 7 24.8 8.7 30.8 8.0
2017 BOS MLB AL 153 712 .254 .321 .425 .268 105 11.8 20.8 -7.7 115 9 23.9 6.2 15.8 5.9
2018 BOS MLB AL 136 614 .252 .320 .421 .368 107 61.2 17.2 -5.6 178 9 11.2 3.8 59.5 8.9
2019 BOS MLB AL 150 706 .255 .322 .447 .309 106 35 21.3 -7.1 137 6 13.5 5.7 37.5 6.9

Statistics For All Levels

Minor league stats are currently shownClick to hide.
Year Team lvl LG PA AB R H 2B 3B HR TB RBI BB SO SB CS AVG OBP SLG ISO SF SH
2011 RSX Rk GCL 4 4 0 2 0 0 0 2 2 0 0 1 0 .500 .500 .500 .000 0 0
2012 LOW A- NYP 292 251 34 67 8 1 0 77 31 32 30 20 4 .267 .352 .307 .040 4 2
2013 SLM A+ CAR 211 185 30 63 12 3 7 102 39 23 17 20 2 .341 .414 .551 .211 1 1
2013 GRN A SAL 340 277 63 82 24 1 8 132 26 58 40 18 2 .296 .418 .477 .181 1 3
2014 PAW AAA INT 211 185 31 62 12 2 5 93 31 26 30 11 4 .335 .417 .503 .168 0
2014 PME AA EAS 253 214 56 76 18 3 6 118 34 35 20 22 3 .355 .443 .551 .196 3
2014 BOS MLB AL 213 189 34 55 12 1 5 84 18 21 31 7 3 .291 .368 .444 .153 0
2015 BOS MLB AL 654 597 92 174 42 8 18 286 77 46 82 21 6 .291 .341 .479 .188 6 3
2015 PME AA EAS 4 4 1 2 0 0 1 5 1 0 0 0 0 .500 .500 1.250 .750 0 0
2016 BOS MLB AL 730 672 122 214 42 5 31 359 113 49 80 26 4 .318 .363 .534 .216 7 0
2017 BOS MLB AL 712 628 101 166 46 2 24 288 102 77 79 26 3 .264 .344 .459 .194 5 0
2018 BOS MLB AL 614 520 129 180 47 5 32 333 80 81 91 30 6 .346 .438 .640 .294 5 0
2019 BOS MLB AL 706 597 135 176 40 5 29 313 80 97 101 16 3 .295 .391 .524 .229 9 0

Plate Discipline

YEAR Pits Zone% Swing% Contact% Z-Swing% O-Swing% Z-Contact% O-Contact% SwStr% CSAA
2014 927 0.5264 0.3581 0.8584 0.5061 0.1936 0.9109 0.7059 0.1416 -0.0033
2015 2618 0.5160 0.4018 0.8508 0.5270 0.2684 0.9171 0.7118 0.1492 0.0044
2016 2686 0.4911 0.4114 0.8579 0.5641 0.2641 0.9422 0.6842 0.1421 0.0000
2017 2784 0.4644 0.3585 0.8447 0.5050 0.2314 0.9142 0.7130 0.1553 0.0000
2018 2577 0.4769 0.3562 0.8431 0.5362 0.1921 0.9181 0.6525 0.1569 0.0000
2019 2904 0.4766 0.3829 0.8543 0.5708 0.2118 0.9278 0.6739 0.1457 0.0000
Career144960.48730.38060.85080.53870.23080.92310.68840.14920.0006

Injury History  —  No longer being updated

Last Update: 12/31/2014 23:59 ET

Date On Date Off Transaction Days Games Side Body Part Injury Severity Surgery Date Reaggravation

Compensation

Year Team Salary
2032 LAN $32,916,667
2031 LAN $32,916,667
2030 LAN $35,416,667
2029 LAN $35,416,667
2028 LAN $35,416,667
2027 LAN $30,416,667
2026 LAN $30,416,667
2025 LAN $30,416,667
2024 LAN $30,416,666
2023 LAN $25,416,666
2022 LAN $22,916,666
2021 LAN $22,916,666
2020 LAN $27,000,000
2019 BOS $20,000,000
2018 BOS $10,500,000
2017 BOS $950,000
2016 BOS $566,000
2015 BOS $514,500
2014 BOS $
YearsDescriptionSalary
9 yrPrevious$130,780,498
2019Current$30,416,666
10 yrPvs + Cur$161,197,164
8 yrFuture$263,333,336
18 yrTotal$424,530,500

 

Service TimeAgentContract Status
8 y 70 dVC Sports Group12 years/$365M (2021-32)

Details
  • 12 years/$365M (2021-32). Signed extension with LA Dodgers 7/22/20. $65M signing bonus (paid in annual installments Nov. 1, 2021-35: $5M/year in 2021-32, $2M/year in 2033-34, $1M in 2035). 21:$17.5M, 22:$17.5M, 23:$20M, 24:$25M, 25:$25M, 26:$25M, 27:$25M, 28:$30M, 29:$30M, 30:$30M, 31:$27.5M, 32:$27.5M. $115M in salary is deferred ($8M/year of 2021-25 salaries, $10M/year of 2026-27 salaries, $11M/year of 2028-32 salaries). Deferred money to be paid each July 1, 2033-44: $8M/year in 2033-37, $10M/year in 2038-39, $11M/year in 2040-44. Deferrals reduce present-day value to $306,657,882 (per MLBPA). Deal does not include an opt-out provision or a no-trade clause. If Betts is traded, deferrals are eliminated & salary is paid as earned. Perks: hotel suite on road. Betts to donate $100,000 annually to club charity.
  • 1 year/$27M (2020). Re-signed by Boston 1/10/20 (avoided arbitration). Acquired by LA Dodgers in trade from Boston 2/5/20. Highest one-year salary for an arbitration-eligible player.
  • 1 year/$20M (2019). Re-signed by Boston 1/11/19 (avoided arbitration). Award bonuses: $100,000 for AL MVP ($75,000 for second in vote, $50,000 for third). $0.1M each for WS MVP, ALCS MVP. $50,000 each for All Star, Gold Glove, Silver Slugger.
  • 1 year/$10.5M (2018). Won arbitration with Boston 1/31/18 ($10.5M-$7.5M).
  • 1 year/$950,000 (2017). Renewed by Boston 3/2/17.
  • 1 year/$566,000 (2016). Re-signed by Boston 3/2/16.
  • 1 year/$514,500 (2015). Re-signed by Boston 3/8/15.
  • 1 year (2014). Contract selected by Boston 6/28/14.
  • Drafted by Boston 2011 (5-172) (Overton HS, Brentwood, Tenn.). $750,000 signing bonus.

2019 Preseason Forecast

Last Update: 1/27/2017 12:35 ET

PCT PA R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS AVG OBP SLG DRC+ VORP FRAA WARP
90o 43 12 3 0 2 5 5 2 0 .324 .405 .568 157 4.9 RF 1, 0.0
80o 29 8 2 0 1 3 3 1 0 .320 .393 .520 152 3.0 RF 1, 0.0
70o 19 5 1 0 1 2 2 1 0 .312 .389 .562 148 1.8 RF 1, 0.0
60o 10 3 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 .333 .400 .444 144 0.9 RF 0, 0.0
50o 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 .000 .000 141 0.2 RF 0, 0.0
Weighted Mean300000000.000.000.0001410.3RF 0,0.0

Preseason Long-Term Forecast (Beyond the 2019 Projections)

Playing time estimates are based on performance, not Depth Charts.
Year Age PA R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB AVG OBP SLG DRC+ WARP VORP BRR POS_ADJ REP_ADJ RAA FRAA
202027615891623742489707624.301.385.5171437.857.84.9-2.315.839.413.6
202128588831503532181687422.292.378.4941356.748.54.5-2.415.131.213.0
202229603861573732284687420.298.382.5051387.152.04.3-2.615.534.813.4
202330586831493532282677417.290.376.4991356.647.43.8-2.715.131.213.0
202431590841533642283687415.295.380.5051396.950.33.6-2.915.234.313.1
202532578821483632181677213.294.380.5031386.647.93.3-3.014.932.712.8
202633570811463532079657211.296.381.5001386.547.43.0-3.114.732.812.6
20273456781146343218064729.294.377.5011366.345.22.8-3.214.631.012.6
20283554176135323197462697.287.373.4891335.639.82.6-3.213.926.512.0

Comparable Players (Similarity Index 70)

Rank Score Name Year DRC+ Trend
1 78 Mike Greenwell 1990 121
2 78 Gary Sheffield 1995 170
3 78 Paul Waner 1929 125
4 77 Rusty Staub 1970 136
5 76 Nick Markakis 2010 114
6 76 Jason Heyward 2016 74
7 76 Mark Carreon 1990 122
8 75 Andrew McCutchen 2013 150
9 74 Yasiel Puig 2017 119
10 74 Allie Clark 1949 61
11 74 Floyd Robinson 1962 112
12 73 Al Kaline 1961 142
13 73 Don Mattingly 1987 143
14 73 Enos Slaughter 1942 133
15 73 Tony Gwynn 1986 122
16 72 Tim Raines 1986 128
17 72 Billy Butler 2012 137
18 72 Tommy Henrich 1939 99
19 72 Oscar Gamble 1976 111
20 72 Matt Murton 2008 62
21 72 Harry Rice 1928 105
22 71 Wally Joyner 1988 124
23 71 Rusty Greer 1995 111
24 71 Pablo Sandoval 2013 108
25 71 Christian Yelich 2018 143
26 71 Anthony Rendon 2016 115
27 71 Mike Hargrove 1976 128
28 71 Vladimir Guerrero 2001 134
29 71 Bill Madlock 1977 112
30 71 Lou Skizas 1958 97
31 71 George Brett 1979 140
32 71 Ron Blomberg 1975 104
33 70 Brian Giles 1997 122
34 70 Joe Cunningham 1958 136
35 70 Joe Mauer 2009 160
36 70 Roy Foster 1972 98
37 70 Troy Tulowitzki 2011 139
38 70 Grady Sizemore 2009 112
39 70 Freddie Lindstrom 1932 95
40 70 David Wright 2009 111
41 70 Babe Young 1942 115
42 70 Buster Posey 2013 120
43 70 Terry Crowley 1973 90
44 69 Frankie Frisch 1924 125
45 69 Andre Ethier 2008 125
46 69 Brian McCann 2010 126
47 69 Jack Clark 1982 147
48 69 Logan Morrison 2014 108
49 69 Carlos Quentin 2009 116
50 69 Wade Boggs 1984 120
51 69 Bill Sample 1981 108
52 69 Elijah Dukes 2010 0 DNP
53 69 Hank Aaron 1960 147
54 69 Dustin Pedroia 2010 128
55 69 Billy Williams 1964 146
56 68 Jody Gerut 2004 90
57 68 Anthony Rizzo 2016 139
58 68 Hanley Ramirez 2010 127
59 68 Carl Yastrzemski 1966 115
60 68 Mark Grace 1990 115
61 68 Conor Jackson 2008 117
62 68 Eddie Moore 1925 107
63 68 Kyle Seager 2014 126
64 68 Ryan Zimmerman 2011 111
65 68 Mickey Cochrane 1929 117
66 68 Russell Martin 2009 95
67 68 Roy White 1970 134
68 67 Eric Hosmer 2016 109
69 67 Ted Simmons 1976 116
70 67 Nomar Garciaparra 2000 153
71 67 Sal Bando 1970 131
72 67 Lou Boudreau 1944 128
73 67 J.D. Drew 2002 104
74 67 Joe Lefebvre 1982 71
75 67 Chipper Jones 1998 145
76 67 Alvin Davis 1987 124
77 67 Andy Pafko 1947 104
78 67 Don Baylor 1975 138
79 67 John Olerud 1995 116
80 67 Rickey Henderson 1985 159
81 67 Tony Oliva 1965 132
82 67 Ian Kinsler 2008 129
83 67 Freddie Freeman 2016 146
84 67 Gary Matthews 1977 111
85 67 Terry Puhl 1983 109
86 67 Kevin Seitzer 1988 119
87 66 Tom Tresh 1965 121
88 66 Todd Helton 2000 169
89 66 Chet Lemon 1981 134
90 66 Edwin Encarnacion 2009 96
91 66 Stephen Piscotty 2017 95
92 66 Frank Robinson 1962 172
93 66 Cesar Cedeno 1977 114
94 66 Joe Vosmik 1936 111
95 66 Barney McCosky 1943 0 DNP
96 66 Jeff Bagwell 1994 197
97 66 Len Dykstra 1989 88
98 66 Justin Upton 2014 127
99 66 John Valentin 1993 103
100 66 Minnie Minoso 1952 120

BP Annual Player Comments

YearComment
2019  Due to publishing agreements, the 2019 player comments and team essays are only available in the Baseball Prospectus 2019 book (available in hardcopy, and soon e-book and Kindle).
2018 The only way Betts could’ve improved upon his 2016 season was by winning the AL MVP award. By that insane standard his 2017 season was a letdown, but by any conventional metric it was excellent. Once again, Betts excelled on the bases and in the field. FRAA pegs him as one of the very best defenders in the game, and given how effortlessly he plays Fenway’s notorious right field, it’s tough to disagree. Where Betts took a small step back was at the plate. His lower average seems to largely be a function of BABIP—he actually hit the ball harder than in 2016—but the power drop-off is harder to explain away. Still, Betts finished in the top 15 in baseball in BWARP, and he didn’t turn 25 until October. He is still very clearly the best player on the Red Sox and one of the best players in baseball, and the Win Dance Repeat movement he helped start is one of the game’s elite celebrations. Someone just needs to tell him that Salt Bae is a terrible meme.
2017 Ask someone what makes Betts special on a Monday and you may hear about his hit tool after he goes 3-for-4 with a walk. On Wednesday, they’ll marvel at his power and how he generates it with lightning-quick wrists. On Friday, you’ll hear about Betts’ glove, which truly shines in Fenway’s spacious right field. On Sunday, it will all be about his speed and efficiency on the bases. Ask Frank Thomas about Betts’ best tools, and he’ll smile, look you straight in the eyes and say “hardware.” It’s tough to blame him; Betts’ abilities defy explanation. He would’ve won the AL MVP if players named for fish were outlawed. He only just turned 24. We’re just getting started.
2016 Baseball isn't supposed to be this easy. Betts has gone from a breakout prospect in Greenville to a first-division starter in two years, and he appears to be on the cusp of something altogether more. The then-22-year-old almost joined the 20/20 club in his first full campaign, showing off more power than most thought he possessed. He displayed the skills needed to be a plus-plus defender in center, despite very little outfield experience. He also got better in the second half, demonstrating that he knows how to adjust, and he did all this with the quiet confidence and selective aggressiveness that define many of the game's best players. Rather than go a few months without dominating a sphere-hurling sport, Betts spent his offseason participating in the PBA's World Series of Bowling, proving that he's always hunting quality strikes. Whether you prefer Betts or Xander Bogaerts is a question of taste, but there's no doubt that this is what a franchise cornerstone looks like in today's game.
2015 There must be something Betts can't do on a baseball diamond—pitch, catch, groundskeeping—but he hasn't revealed his limitations yet. Betts was unfathomably good in Portland and Pawtucket in 2014, forcing his way to the big leagues despite starting the year with no experience above High-A. He hit for more power than he had previously shown, successfully stole bases at a high clip at every level and maintained his patient approach in the majors. Betts even handled a move from second base to center field, spent some time in right field, then without skipping a beat moved back to second base when Dustin Pedroia was injured. He is a potential franchise cornerstone because he has no weaknesses, and he plays with an understated swagger that tells you he knows how good he is. This is going to be a really, really fun career to watch.
2014 Betts began 2013 in a more-passive-than-patient funk, but once things clicked and he started swinging at the right offerings, all he did was hit. Following a promotion to High-A, Betts batted .341 with power and patience while striking outwait for it17 times in 211 plate appearances, or just 8 percent of the time. Did we mention he's just 20, and did this after a promotion? He was also successful on 90 percent of the 42 steals he attempted and played a quality keystone, all of which likely means he'll begin 2014 at Double-A in his age-21 season. The question is whether the 156-pound Betts continues to hit for power, but the bat speed is there thanks to his wrists, and his eye and approach are points in his favor.

BP Articles

Click here to see articles tagged with Mookie Betts

BP Chats

DateQuestionAnswer
2020-04-22 13:00:00 (link to chat)If there isn't a season this year, which seems increasingly likely to me, has the MLB said yet what happens with free agency and contracts? Or don't we know yet?
(Raymond from Washington DC)
Yes, MLB and the MLBPA agreed to a deal. $170 million gets distributed to the players, and players get the same amount of service time as they did the prior season (so Mookie Betts and Marcus Stroman will become free agents, etc.). I wrote about the service time implications here: https://www.baseballprospectus.com/news/article/57956/dissecting-the-service-time-implications-of-the-mlb-mlbpa-agreement/ (Craig Goldstein)
2020-04-03 13:00:00 (link to chat)I traded Mookie Betts for Spencer Howard, CJ Abrams, and Nate Lowe. Did I dominate the trade?
(Cyle from Sioux Falls)
It depends on league size/scoring, but I would not trade Betts for that package in most formats. Sorry :( (Jesse Roche)
2020-02-21 13:00:00 (link to chat)Thoughts on Alexander Ramirez (Mets), Connor Wong, and Peyton Burdick?
(Cameron from Beverly Hills)
Alexander Ramirez is a recent 2019 J2 signing (not to be confused with the 2018 J2 signing of the same name) with an intriguing blend of present speed and projectable power emanating from his 6-foot-3 frame. Connor Wong recently was part of the Mookie Betts trade. A change in organizations actually benefits him a lot as he leaves the crowd of catchers in the Dodgers org. Wongs combination of athleticism, power, and consistent hard contact is tantalizing. Unfortunately, swing-and-miss is simply part of his game and leads to legitimate concern regarding the efficacy of his hit tool. Peyton Burdick was a 3rd round pick in the 2019 draft. He impressed in the Midwest League (.307/.408/.542) and offers plus raw power with a touch of speed. His hit tool remains questionable, and he had some swing-and-miss (13.3% SwStr) in Low-A. Still, he is a nice mid-round pick in FYPDs this offseason. (Jesse Roche)
2020-02-05 12:00:00 (link to chat)Hey Craig, Regarding the Red Sox luxury tax penalties, the Red Sox lose 10 spots in the draft. Even factoring that in, I'm just not seeing the value in terms of future dollars or even real slot value of trading Mookie Betts to get under the tax threshold for a good but not great player who will probably peak with an all-star season and a pitcher who reads more reliever than middle of the rotation starter.
(Dave Dombrowski on 3 from Boston)
The Red Sox only lose those spots if they increase payroll to a certain degree. The whole point of a creative FO is to be able to keep your best players, I'd think. Presumably there were other ways of getting under the luxury tax. As it was, the Red Sox payroll had them just shy of $20 million over, and they were paying a third-time offender tax of 50%. It meant they had a $10 million bill for the luxury tax. Not exactly huge money for a franchise like that. (Craig Goldstein)
2020-02-05 12:00:00 (link to chat)Sabermetrics has led to fans thinking about the game in different ways, which is a good thing, but at the same time it (along with fantasy baseball) has also led to fans thinking about team-building from a dispassionate, Wall Street, point of view (and many GMs run their teams this way), but that way of thinking leads to fans siding with owners who cry poor and point to player salaries as an impediment to sustainable success, even though the owners pocket billions of dollars each year. I don't really have a question, I just wanted to say all this in light of the Mookie Betts trade.
(Peanut Gallery from The back row)
I don't know that it's *that* straightforward but on broad strokes it's somewhat fair. I don't think sabermetrics NEED to be employed from an owner/manager-centric viewpoint. That is certainly how it happened, but I think it's possible to be interested in the pursuit of objective truths about the while still preferring labor to prevail. Just because there are things to exploit doesn't mean they need to be exploited. That's not about sabermetrics...that's a different philosophy. (Craig Goldstein)
2019-11-26 14:00:00 (link to chat)Perhaps it is just wishful thinking, but I am the only one hoping the A's or Ray make a major move for say...Mookie Betts? Maybe the Red Sox have to "eat" Kiermaier or Piscotty's salary, but both have perhaps an "excess" of the young pitching the Red Sox covet and maybe pushing your chips in to win now is the new market inefficiency. It wouldn't be crazy to see Manaea + Canha + Profar for Betts, right? Or Brujan(or Lowe) + Honeywell + Choi for Betts?
(Gila Monster from MA)
Even with the market constraints they profess, both teams should have plenty of payroll room to take on a player of Betts' caliber. The problem I see with either Oakland or Tampa Bay as suitors is that neither seems the type to give up years of players who are basically MLB-ready for one season of Betts. Both teams have good pitchers but could also really use a starter (or more, in Oakland's case). Call me a Betts trade skeptic, at least for the offseason. It's just hard to see Boston getting the return it wants. (Free Agent Chat w/Ginny Searle)
2019-11-06 13:00:00 (link to chat)Where does Jarren Duran profile in the Boston OF? Doesn’t seem to be a clear spot for playing time
(Michael from Bawhston)
There will be once they trade Mookie Betts? Is this too soon? I guess it hasn't even happened yet. I still suspect he's more a good bench outfielder on a first-division team, which I suppose Boston still fancies themselves. (Boston Red Sox Top 10 Chat)
2019-11-06 13:00:00 (link to chat)If the Red Sox get back Wander Javier in the Mookie Betts trade, everyone on this list shifts down 1. Sorry, I guess I didn't have a question.
(Dusty from Colorado)
Neither did too many others Dusty, which seems about right for this system. Yankees on Friday is our first really fun and good list at least. And it will be free to read for all. (Boston Red Sox Top 10 Chat)
2019-09-27 12:00:00 (link to chat)Noah Synergaard and Dom Smith for Mookie Betts?
(Sammy from New York)
I'm always for trades that will make both fanbases incredibly angry (Jeffrey Paternostro)
2019-09-06 12:00:00 (link to chat)Let's say the rumors are true and the Red Sox are really going to be wonderfully stupid and try to trade Mookie Betts. I would imagine the Padres would be the first ones on the phone. What do you think is a ~reasonable~ package from San Diego? I assume Paddack and/or Gore would have to be involved.
(Mike from Albany)
I'd bet you it's for way less than you'd think because teams have gotten aggressive about years of control. You will hear a lot about how 1/30 doesn't have much surplus value. (Jeffrey Paternostro)
2019-05-31 13:00:00 (link to chat)In a dynasty league, what players would you consider trading Ronald Acuna for straight up?
(Kent Brockman from Channel 6, Springfield)
Maybe two? Mike Trout and Mookie Betts. (J.P. Breen)
2019-04-10 21:00:00 (link to chat)If you had to pick four MLB players to fight your way out of a zombie-infested warehouse who you picking?
(The Yeehaw Agenda from The Wild West)
So one obvious answer is Yasiel Puig. Most likely to take on 7 zombies by himself, for sure.

Next up: Give me Aaron Judge because just the prospect of him entering a fray carries serious gravity.

Madison Bumgarner because if you told me he had done this before I wouldn't be THAT shocked.

And finally, Mookie Betts, because we have yet to see something he isn't good at. I don't know how that would manifest in a zombie warehouse. Maybe he would just distract them and dazzle them with some heretofore unknown talent until everyone escaped. (Zach Crizer)
2019-01-25 16:00:00 (link to chat)I have a 15 team 1st year dynasty fantasy draft coming up and pick 2nd.... its mookie betts right? 6x6 obp or does acuna have some obscene upside I should consider
(spotted cow from Rock town IL)
Yeah, Betts. Acuna does have obscene upside...of present-day Mookie Betts. (Jon Hegglund)
2017-08-17 13:00:00 (link to chat)Benintendi is having quite the rookie year and has lived up to the hype. He looks like a similar hitter this year stat wise to Mookie Betts. Who would you compare his ceiling to?
(statcat89 from Fort Worth)
Well, Joe Maddon comped him to Fred Lynn when the Cubs played Boston earlier this year. I think that's just because he's short and a Red Sox. I don't know, he's obviously a really well-rounded player, and interesting for the physical profile. I'd ratchet it down from a Lynn comp, not sure Benintendi's athleticism plays the same way. (Matthew Trueblood)
2017-03-29 14:00:00 (link to chat)Highest ceiling or anyone you can give helium to? SS Fernando Tatis OF Taylor Trammell OF Desmond Lindsay thanks...
(Accudart from VT)
Out of the group -- and I'm not really super informed on these guys because of their youth, so take the grain of salt for sure -- I'd go with Desmond Lindsay. I think Tatis and Trammell are just as likely to hit in the bigs, but betting on young shortstops is always dicey, and Trammell seems to fit a profile the Reds already have underperforming in AAA. Lindsay's patience and power profile looks a little like a poor man's minor league Mookie Betts, which would have to entice a deep dynasty player or a Mets fan. (Trevor Strunk)
2017-02-21 13:00:00 (link to chat)Which prospects this year have an 80 grade tool?
(CKnecht88 from Ohio)
This is my favorite question so far. Look, I'm not a scout. I have a tremendous amount of respect for the men and women who can do it. I think as far as 80-grade goes, that's reserved for top of the scale #OffTheCharts tools like Billy Hamilton's speed, Joey Gallo's power, Miguel Cabrera's hit tool (and maybe Mookie Betts someday)...I think of the current crop of prospects, Alex Reyes & Michael Kopech have 80-grade fastballs. There are a few relievers with the velocity to put an 80 on their fastballs too. If you're looking for a fun one, I think Jharel Cotton's changeup is a potential one to get there. I have no idea how you grade a screwball but Brent Honeywell for me there. (George Bissell)
2017-02-02 13:00:00 (link to chat)Player most likely to become the next Mookie Betts?
(Dan from Connecticut)
This makes me want to puke it's so irritating but: Andrew Benintendi. (Trevor Strunk)
2016-09-08 19:00:00 (link to chat)Just curious as of now who is your favorite player and why? Do you suggest always having him on your fantasy baseball team ?
(Wally from FL)
That's an extremely difficult question. It's a tie between Mookie Betts and J.D. Martinez among hitters right now. Julio Urias or Marcus Stroman among pitchers. I'll go with someone a bit more obscure for the purposes of this question. The pitcher that I think about on a daily basis is Ben Rowen. He's a submarine pitcher that's now with the Brewers. He's fascinating to me. The other two obscure pitchers I'm obsessed with are Eddie Gamboa, a 31-year-old knuckleballer with the Rays and Robby Scott, a Red Sox lefty who throws from different arm slots to right and left handed batters. It's surreal. (George Bissell)
2016-09-23 12:30:00 (link to chat)Who is your pick for AL/NL MVP and Cy Young?
(BC from Urbandale)
Trout, Bryant, Kershaw and... I don't know. I honestly have no idea. I don't think an hour of research would even help me decide.

I'd be fine with a Mookie Betts or Jose Fernandez vote, too. (Sam Miller)
2016-08-15 22:00:00 (link to chat)Is this version of Mookie Betts for real?
(Donnie from Texas)
It is, and it is spectacular. (Wilson Karaman)
2016-07-13 15:00:00 (link to chat)Has Mookie Betts climbed the ladder to the tier that Trout/Harper are in?
(Donnie from Ohio)
No. (Brendan Gawlowski)
2016-05-31 19:00:00 (link to chat)Another two home runs, if Mookie Betts keeps this up does he belong in the Trout/Harper discussion? I understand they are the two best players in baseball but Mookie should be right there with them, at least from a fantasy stand point.
(Brian from NE)
Alright, back to the pros for a bit... I'm not a huge fantasy guy so take these words with a grain of salt but what Betts is doing is impressive. All he does is hit and the power is something I didn't think would be part of his game. I think he's a tier behind those two at this point but he sure is forcing his way into the conversation. (James Fisher)
2016-05-18 19:00:00 (link to chat)Frazier/Hamels for Betts a fair deal?
(RAP from NYC)
In a re-draft, I'd rather have Frazier and Hamels, but for a dynasty I'm investing in Mookie Betts (if you haven't already, you should). He's a franchise cornerstone you build around. (George Bissell)
2015-09-30 19:00:00 (link to chat)Lately during the final weeks of this year, Mookie Betts has been playing RF with Bradley in CF. Do you see that as the norm next year?
(Jake from Boston)
If you believe Jackie Bradley can hit enough to warrant serious playing time he should get the start over Mookie Betts in center and the Red Sox have one of the best defensive outfields in baseball. I need to see more from him before I get on the Jackie Bradley Jr. boat again. (Mauricio Rubio)
2015-09-09 13:00:00 (link to chat)Thanks Chris. Who has the higher ceiling, Mookie Betts or Nomar Mazara? I love Betts, but I was blown away by Mazara's plate discipline as a 20-year-old in AA/AAA.
(Keith from Manchester, CT)
Mazara, by a fairly substantial margin for me. And that's not to say Betts' ceiling isn't high, it's just Mazara has as high of ceiling as any player in the minor leagues right now. (Christopher Crawford)
2015-07-23 17:00:00 (link to chat)What's your projections on Mookie Betts going forward? Any reasonable comps? Any chance he ever goes back to 2b?
(Bookie Metts from Boston )
I see him as a solid 15 HR, 35 SB guy with a .270 BA. I doubt he goes back to 2B; he probably sticks in the OF. No immediate comps jump to mind; a lot of the speed guys in the majors right now don't have this kind of power. (Mike Gianella)
2015-07-16 20:00:00 (link to chat)George, love the piece today on trade targets. You were limited to selecting only 1 player though. I'm sure there were more you liked. Can you give us a few? Thanks
(DanDaMan from Sea Cliff)
Asking our fantasy staff to pick one player each is like herding cats. Impossible. I think Justin Upton is someone you can acquire on the cheap right now if his owner is panicking. He's hit .176/.281/.244 since June 1st...You have to remember he's just always been an incredibly streaky hitter. I know everyone is that way, but Upton gets blazing hot and ice cold more than anyone I can ever remember. He's playing for a new contract, he's going to hit. Invest. I also love some of the guys our staff picked like V-Mart, Carrasco, Hutchison (seriously look at his stats they're so odd) and Yelich...Totally on board with those. Also love me some Mookie Betts in the second half. (George Bissell)
2015-07-01 13:00:00 (link to chat)Mookie Betts is walking at a 7% clip this season while walking in double digit rates in the minor leagues in prior years. How do walk rates typically translate from the minors to majors and do you see Betts walking closer to 9-10% in the future?
(Grizz from Chi)
This is where scouting statlines becomes problematic, because there's no hard or firm answer you'll be able to decipher without seeing the guy. Minor league walk rates are not all equal: sometimes they're the result of minor league pitchers having bad control and hitters taking advantage of that with a passive approach. Other times it's a legitimate skillset. With Betts all signs pointed to the latter scenario, and it's important to keep in mind that he's still just 22 and was in the Sally League this time two years ago. That kind of jump in BB rate wouldn't surprise me at all in the not-too-distant future. (Wilson Karaman)
2015-06-30 19:00:00 (link to chat)Mookie Betts vs Starlin Castro for fantasy purposes. Pick one for the next 5-10 years, is it close and why? Thanks.
(kylanje from Florida)
Betts. I think the power comes for Betts - or enough of it that he hits 15 home runs and there's some speed in his profile. I don't think it's close because Castro is near his peak and while I believe he's not as "bad" as some say he is, how much more ceiling is there. (Mike Gianella)
2015-06-16 20:00:00 (link to chat)If the Red Sox were characters on Game of Thrones, who would they be? thanks
(Bill from Los Angeles)
This is super played out ...

... and as such, right in my wheelhouse.

Xander Bogaerts: Jon Snow
Mookie Betts: Danaerys Targaryen

Ben Cherington: Ned (tried to do the right thing, will probably lose head)
Wade Miley: Catelyn (doesn't do much but yell)
Rick Porcello: Robb Stark (handsome, ineffective)
Clay Buchholz: Sansa (WHAT EVEN ARE YOU?)
Eduardo Rodriguez: Arya (so much potential)
Brock Holt: Bran (takes a lot of forms)
Joe Kelly: Rickon (why do you exist?)
Mike Napoli: Hodor (...yep)
Christian Vazquez: Benjen Stark (plz come back)

John Henry: Tywin (still calling the shots)
Dustin Pedroia: Tyrion (most watchable/resourceful)
Larry Lucchino: Cersei (...)
David Ortiz: Jaime (lost a step but still badass)
Blake Swihart: Tommen (keep trying, little guy)

John Farrell: Stannis (stern but no one seems to listen)
Melisandre: Pablo Sandoval (is your power real or what)
Our Hopes/Dreams: Shireen

Hanley Ramirez: The Hound (unlikeable but powerful)
Koji Uehara: Brienne (still rooting for ya)
Daniel Nava: Pod (you too!)

Junichi Tawawa: Bronn (just gets stuff done)
Allen Craig: Janos Slynt (just doesn't)
Shane Victorino: Jorah (always hurt)
Jackie Bradley: Theon (has he not suffered enough?)
Justin Masterson: Beric Dondarrion (should not have been revived)

Craig Breslow: Doran (smart, ineffective)
Alejandro De Aza: sandsnake 1
Alexi Ogando: sandsnake 2
Tommy Layne: sandsnake 3

The Yankees: Roose Bolton
The Rays: Ramsay Bolton
The Blue Jays: The Night's King
The Orioles: Mance Rayder

And two for the book readers ...
Yoan Moncada: Young Griff
Rusney Castillo: Patchface (Ben Carsley)
2015-04-16 17:00:00 (link to chat)Is there anyone that's getting drafted 5th or later ADP that you expect to jump into the first round next year (not rookies, we all know Ssauve is going to gouge his eyes out next year after Bryant turns fastballs into wine)
(EricJ from Unknown)
You mean 5th round? Jason Kipnis if he's healthy. Mookie Betts if he can hold some of that power. Probably not in either case, but so hard to predict. (Mike Gianella)
2015-04-16 17:00:00 (link to chat)It seems in dynasty leagues (and deep leagues in general) prospect hype and general knowledge keeps increasing as data and coverage increases. Top 100 overall and team top 10 names are much more generally known by casual baseball fans let alone fantasy players. Should those trying to be a step ahead, scour for younger projectible players? Or just learn which expert/analyst to trust more?
(Jacob Brumfield from Center )
You can try to analyze the analysts but even that's inexact. I think the knowledge is increasing but the accuracy not necessarily so. I analyzed this a couple of years ago for BP and there is still some scatter shot in terms of hitting the mark. The thing to do is try to figure out who will produce in Roto versus who the name is. Mookie Betts is a good example: he wasn't really viewed as a big time prospect as couple of years ago but he can play ball. Sometimes looking past the obvious offensive fantasy profile pays. (Mike Gianella)
2015-04-06 15:15:00 (link to chat)Strategy here is to score like 13 runs off Hamels to drive the price for him down, right?
(William from New York)
It's funny how stuff like this works out. Like the Cubs who are trying to make a case for relevance opening the season in Chicago against the Cardinals in an unfinished Wrigley Field. Sometimes baseball is poetry.

I'm still not buying Hamels ever coming to Boston though. The Phillies aren't going to drop their price and the Red Sox aren't going to give up Mookie Betts or Blake Swihart, so I'm not sure where the middle ground is here. (Matthew Kory)
2015-04-06 15:15:00 (link to chat)Has there been any advance in the petition by Ozzie Smith in making Opening Day a National Holiday?
(Edward from Framingham, MA)
I don't know, but gosh darnit there should be! Opening Day might just be my favorite day of the year. It's cold and cloudy here in Portland, Oregon but I've got my baseball stuff on and man I'm excited!

And since nobody asked, how about Mookie Betts? The guy just hits the ball hard like all the time! (Matthew Kory)
2015-04-07 14:00:00 (link to chat)What are the early reviews on Moncada? Is this guy the next Mookie Betts, or just your run-of-the-mill future hall of famer?
(John from Boston)
I know very little about Moncada, and I think that we have to be very careful about expectations with Cuban players until they've had some time to adjust to pro ball. The talent variation is huge, and yet the general range of opinions seems to be too tightly wound - let's see how he does against age-appropriate competition in a more familiar setting (to us), and I'll feel better about making an assessment. (Doug Thorburn)
2015-03-03 13:00:00 (link to chat)What role go you see Mookie Betts in this year? Now that Shane Victorino has been declared the starting RF it limits his starting options.
(caseyj15 from Medford, OR)
I think he will be a starter before long, if not opening day. A lot of spring training position battles fizzle out after one player gets hurt or proves ineffective, so even though it looks like a jam in Boston's outfield, I wouldn't be surprised if either Victorino or Hanley misses significant time. (Rob Arthur)
2015-02-25 14:00:00 (link to chat)How do you like Mookie Betts outlook from a Fantasy prospective this year?
(Scott from Baltimore )
I love the player, but there are too many options in the outfield right now. Would not be surprised to see Mookie start at AAA. Victorino trade would be ideal, because Mookie just might be Boston's highest WAR/best player in 2015 if he plays. Mookie and Francisco Lindor were the two highest grades I gave to position players in 2014. He'll hit for average with plenty of speed and power. (Al Skorupa)
2014-12-16 19:00:00 (link to chat)If one player would be Arnold's character (Dutch) from Predator, who would it be? Who would be Carl Weather's character (Dillion)? Who would be the lithe S. American woman/prisoner?
(richardkr34 from Minneapolis, MN)
I'll give Byron Buxton the nod as Dutch. He's that type of talent who can control the game and outsmart even the most lethal of hunters in the Universe. Mookie Betts is Dillon for me. Initially, I was just lukewarm on Betts, much like the viewer is with Dillon at the beginning of Predator, especially after he uses Dutch's team to "get the job done." I didn't really trust it with Betts at first, but like Dillon by the end you are fully on board. As for the S. American woman, I am thinking Albert Almora. The performance hasn't really matched the tools, kind of like how she pretended she didn't know English and was holding back, but made it to the chopper and ended up beating everyone's expectations by surviving. That's a compliment for Almora as I'm big on him being a good major-leaguer. (Top 10s Chat With Chris Mellen)
2015-02-13 19:00:00 (link to chat)Is it me or is Mookie Betts profile pretty unexciting in the OF? It seems like you could get a similar type in a guy like Brett Gardner later on.
(NightmareRec0n from Boston)
I still like Betts a good deal, but yeah his early ADP is too high. And I'd agree that someone like Gardner is more of a bargain. In a 15-team redraft I like Betts more as a late 9th/early 10th rounder, but there's just no way you're going to get him there. (Mike Gianella)
2015-02-16 11:00:00 (link to chat)bigger impact in 2015 -- Bruno Mars or Mookie Betts?
(Walkin from Egypt)
I like Mookie just fine, but Bruno has people wearing hair rollers out in public in the year 2015. (R.J. Anderson)
2015-01-28 19:00:00 (link to chat)What are realistic expectations for Mookie Betts this season in Boston's crowded outfield and how much do you think it will take to land him in a fantasy auction?
(Kyle from MA)
"Realistic": .280~ with below average power and 15-20 SBs. It'll probably take 12-14 dollars to land him in an auction. (Mauricio Rubio)
2014-12-11 18:00:00 (link to chat)For 2014, who do you buy for a more productive year, Kolten Wong or Mookie Betts?
(allangustafson from Sun Diego )
I expect Wong to bounce back with a strong season in 2014, but Betts is the more talented player and I have faith in his approach at the plate. I think he's in for a very good campaign. Give me Mookie. (Mark Anderson)
2014-10-13 13:00:00 (link to chat)Did you see this breakout coming from Mookie Betts? What is your outlook on his career?
(Rico from Idaho)
No one could have seen this coming. I mean, the guy batted .400 for about a two month stretch. You can't predict that. That said, the signs were there. He's always had a good hit tool and good production, and I've already made my feelings clear about K/BB rate being a good indicator of future success. His was fantastic. It's not shocking he's turned into a very good player. I think he'll be an everyday player somewhere for somebody. I don't know what the Red Sox plan is because he's not unseating Pedroia and they have like 72 outfielders, but he should be in someones lineup everyday this year. (Jeff Moore)
2014-09-15 19:30:00 (link to chat)Brock Holt versus Jackie Bradley Jr. versus XB versus Mookie Betts. I see three spots at best for them (although I suppose that Napoli, Victorino, Ortiz, Cespedes and Vazquez could round out a lineup, squeezing out Craig, Middlebrooks, etc.) Who do you see missing the cut?
(prophet from Undisclosed)
Bogaerts isn't sitting for anyone, and Bradley isn't starting over anyone. Betts is either going to start in RF next year, start in Pawtucket and wait for someone to get hurt or get shipped off for pitching this off-season. The guess here is Victorino or Craig gets moved, Betts starts in RF and Bogaerts at SS, with Holt on the bench and Bradley in Triple-A. (Ben Carsley)
2014-08-25 13:00:00 (link to chat)Is Mookie Betts a fantasy star next year? He would have had 15 HR/45 SB if he wasn't called up.
(Will from Boston)
Probably not. I'm not sure the power or the speed completely translate. That being said, I could still see 8-10 home runs with 20 steal potential in the short term. That isn't a star for me. (Mike Gianella)
2014-09-03 14:00:00 (link to chat)Right at the end of the season Devon Travis saw some time in CF. Do you think he can handle that position going forward? And do you think his bat plays in the big leagues?
(Zack from Windsor)
I don't know of any 40 runners that play CF, so I'm skeptical at best. It's nice for his value, but I don't think it necessarily means anything long term. He's not the Tigers CF of the future or anything, and the arm is below average out there. This isn't a Mookie Betts situation, Mookie is a far superior athlete. Travis' bat plays, but he's got second division upside for me at best. (Jordan Gorosh)
2014-08-08 13:00:00 (link to chat)How do you feel Cherington has handled Bogaerts and Mookie Betts this year?
(Steve from Baltimore)
I think he's done fine. It's been a rough year for the Sox, but I'm not sure what other choices he had for Betts. The guy was just demolishing the minors and they could use him at the major league level. I know he's not playing consistently right now, but there's a lot to learn by being in a major league clubhouse, so I don't think he's done wrong there.

As for Bogaerts, I know the shift to 3B upset people, but at that point they were trying to make a push and a small short-term sacrifice isn't that big a deal. He knew he could put Xander back at SS later on in the season if he needed to. Bogaerts is a high-makeup guy and my guess is they thought he could handle being moved around a bit. (Craig Goldstein)
2014-07-31 19:30:00 (link to chat)While the dust settles and you keep your eye on the horizon, where do you see Mookie Betts fitting-in positionally in 2014 and beyond?
(pat the bat from s&m)
He's clearly an OF with the Red Sox. I think they either use him as trade bait -- his best position is 2B, if he goes elsewhere -- or they keep him as a handicap for a Craig/JBJ/Cespedes OF with Victorino as the odd man out. (Ben Carsley)
2014-07-08 13:00:00 (link to chat)Do you think there's a good chance Mookie Betts gets moved back to the IF next year? Drew is a one year rental and obviously not doing so well.
(howling wolf from Bethesda MD)
It's possible that the Red Sox decide to make a move like that, but I'm not sure where he plays. I don't like the defensive profile for Betts at shortstop and I don't see Boston moving Pedroia to another position or out of town. That leaves third base and I'm not sure they'd be eager to make that move with other options there, including possibly Bogaerts if they go another direction at shortstop. Betts may be in the outfield for the forseeable future. (Mark Anderson)
2014-07-03 19:00:00 (link to chat)Just traded the hype machine Mookie Betts in my 24 team dynasty league for Jonathan Gray, you like?
(bigwhitesled from Seattle)
I like that. All respect to Mookie but I think Gray returns more value. (Mauricio Rubio)
2014-06-25 13:00:00 (link to chat)So is Mookie Betts just a mediocre prospect on an early season hot streak?
(Chris from LA)
He's somewhere in between that and what most Red Sox fans and his fantasy owners will have you believe. Look, Mookie can hit. He controls the strike zone great and has a plus hit tool. That's a legit prospect and every player would like to start out with that skill set. He can also play a good second base, so he's going to be an everyday player in the big leagues, though it won't be at second base in Boston. He has some power, especially for the position, but it's not enough to make him a middle of the order hitter, so that limits his ceiling, but it's not a knock on him. That's just not his game. His game his hitting over .300, which he's going to do. (Jeff Moore)
2014-06-26 14:00:00 (link to chat)Fantasy-wise, who do you like more: Mookie Betts or Arismendy Alcantara?
(childgrambino from Richmond, VA)
I'll take Alcantara, but I don't feel great about it. I think both have 20-steal potential, but I think Alcantara will hit for more power and is a better bet to play middle infield, which ups his fantasy value to me. Mookie Betts is obviously no joke, though. Can flat-out hit the baseball and has a great idea of what he's doing at the plate. (J.P. Breen)
2014-06-24 13:00:00 (link to chat)Thanks for chatting, Jordan! Before the year started, the BPro prospect list had Joey Gallo 95th and Mookie Betts unranked, but the Oliver Projection System had them both in the top 15. Similar story with Jesse Winker too. Should we just be scouting the stat lines, at least for position players?
(Harry from Decatur)
No. (Jordan Gorosh)
2014-05-27 11:30:00 (link to chat)So with what you said about what you look for in hitters about speed and hit/power, what do you think of Mookie Betts, a guy who seems to at least have the hit part, and the speed part down, with hopefully power coming later.
(Frank from Boston)
I think you could be looking at a first division Mookie. Mookie has basically hit his way up the chain. Hitters hit. I don't know how it works out in Boston, as he's clearly blocked. But if he is moved, I think he's going to play every day at 2B. Right now, it's about improving on balls that are on the inner half for him. But, he barrels everything. (Jordan Gorosh)
2014-05-19 13:00:00 (link to chat)Does Mookie Betts ever play a game in Fenway Park in a Red Sox uniform?
(oldbopper from New Britain, CT)
Yes. And as a little guy named Mookie, I would think he'd get said uniform quite dirty. (Zachary Levine)
2014-05-13 11:00:00 (link to chat)Jeff Samardzija for Mookie Betts and Henry Owens. Who says no?
(JMR from Chicago)
The Cubs? (Jason Parks)
2014-05-05 13:00:00 (link to chat)Is Mookie Betts now the best second base prospect? He is looking incredible out there. Thoughts?
(Mark from Boston)
He's certainly in the discussion. Mookie can flat out hit and second base isn't a deep prospect position right now. He didn't make the Top-101, and six second basemen did. I don't know if I can jump him that high, especially when Kolten Wong came in at number 33. If we had a re-do, however, you can be sure he'd be in there. (Jeff Moore)
2014-04-29 13:00:00 (link to chat)At what point does a player's on the field performance shatters the scouting projections for him? Specifically Mookie Betts just can't anything wrong.
(redsoxin2004 from Columbia)
The scouting projections on Betts are pretty good, no? Parks had him as an above-average regular before the season started, and wrote that some scouts see an impact player.

To answer the question: in the majors and sometimes in the high-minors. Minor-league stats just don't mean a whole lot, but there are cases where guys hit the whole way through and earn an opportunity because of it. (The inverse is true, too.) Once you reach the majors, the clock starts ticking on when that projection has to turn into production, or that production has to remain production in order to stick around.


To answer your question: the majors. There are some cases where a player who lacks the physical projection can earn a big-league look based on his stats in the upper minors. (In fact, we're seeing that with Solarte and Anna in New York right now.) For the most part, though, teams want reasons to believe the player can stick. Some of these guys with gaudy numbers in the minors have flaws that aren't visible through the numbers, but are obvious to those who watch them day in and day out. Be it a slow bat, a shaky approach, whatever.

That's not to say teams are infallible or anything, mind you. That's just how the system tends to work. (R.J. Anderson)
2014-04-29 13:00:00 (link to chat)With Mookie Betts hitting so well in the minors, and Sizemore and Bradley Jr. not doing so well in the majors, is there a positional change to CF for him in the near future?
(Jason from MD)
That would surprise me. Bradley Jr. is a ferocious defender out there, and he's going to hit more than he has. Sizemore, hey, who knows, but Nava probably gets the first phone call if/when the Red Sox decide to move on.

Asking where Betts is going to play in a year or two is a fair question. I just don't think it's going to be center field. (R.J. Anderson)
2014-05-20 13:00:00 (link to chat)I have the #1 waiver claim in my dynasty league. Waiting for a decent prospect to get the call. Of these 3 which would you use it on. Mookie Betts, Arismendy Alcantara or Garin Cecchini?
(Ned F. from Springfield)
Alcantara (Harry Pavlidis)
2014-04-21 13:00:00 (link to chat)Mookie Betts. No position in the majors at this time, although seeming to show that last year might not have been as big of a fluke as a lot of people thought. Your thoughts of Betts and what could possibly come of him in the majors (positional especially)?
(Derek from Boston)
Give me the dude who just flat hits everyday of the week. Remember when Xander Bogaerts didn't have a position either? These things have a way of working themselves out. We know he's not playing 2B in Boston unless Pedroia gets hurt, but guys who hit find a way into the lineup. Just let him keep hitting. (Jeff Moore)
2014-04-15 13:00:00 (link to chat)Is Mookie Betts getting even better or has his profile remained unchanged?
(chris from phoenix)
He's still the same player for me. The early season numbers haven't changed anything. (Mark Anderson)
2014-04-01 13:00:00 (link to chat)Whats your take on Mookie Betts?
(steveg12 from CA)
I'm a little lower on Betts than some, which means I don't see a potential all-star in the profile. That said, I do like the player; a rangy 2B with plenty of run and line-drive pop in the stick. He brings a plan to the plan which will keep him in good counts and allow him to rip fastballs, something he does quite well. When I first saw him in High-A, I put a utility grade on him. He is better than that, and could end up a major league regular if everything clicks. Unless its utility, I doubt his future home is in Boston. (Jason Parks)
2014-02-26 19:00:00 (link to chat)Dynasty League looking for a second baseman for the future. Who do you like more, Mookie Betts or Rougned Odor? Or is there someone else you think could be more promising?
(Justin from STL)
I like Odor better, Arismendy Alcantara is right there with him too. (Mauricio Rubio)
2014-02-26 19:00:00 (link to chat)In a 12 team dynasty 2 round prospect draft, I'm looking at taking a 2B. Which one will help more down the road: Eddie Rosario, Jonathan Schoop, or Mookie Betts?
(fsumagic from TX)
Rosario will likely be the best hitter of the bunch but I dunno if he sticks at 2B. I'll go with Schoop here. (Mauricio Rubio)
2014-03-03 13:00:00 (link to chat)Do you think Mookie Betts could play SS at the major-league level?
(Shawnykid23 from CT)
I think he could make it work, although it wouldn't be that smooth. (Jason Parks on the Completed Prospect Rankings)
2014-01-27 13:00:00 (link to chat)Was Mookie Betts exclusion based on a lack of track record? If he puts up similar numbers again this year in AA, does that put in the Top 25-50 for you?
(Jason from Boston)
Top 25 seems highly unlikely. But if the bat continues to develop, yes, he will jump up the list. It's a right-side profile, so he's only going to rise so high before the reality of his profile limits him. (Jason Parks on the Top 101 Prospects)
2014-02-18 14:00:00 (link to chat)What is Mookie Betts ceiling?
(Henri from Dominos)
Above-average regular at second base. (Ronit Shah)
2014-01-06 13:00:00 (link to chat)Mookie Betts or Alen Hanson?
(Ned Flanders from Springfield)
Mookie (Jeff Moore)
2014-01-10 13:00:00 (link to chat)Deep dynasty draft, and I'm looking at taking either Taylor Linsey or Mookie Betts with an upcoming pick. Which of these 2B do you prefer and why? Thanks!
(Nate from Brownsburg)
Betts has more upside. Lindsey is more of a solid guy to have around. (Mark Anderson)
2013-10-15 13:00:00 (link to chat)Mookie Betts ... what do you got?
(Peter from Boston)
People are getting a little out of hand with the Betts 'bation. He's an interesting player. Catalytic. I didn't see a first division talent, and I struggled to see anything more than a utility type at the end of the day. Love the range at 2B, good approach, quick hands, some pop. I don't see the big upside. (Jason Parks)
2013-09-27 13:00:00 (link to chat)What positions will Mookie Betts and Garen Cecchini end up playing for the Red Sox?
(dawson950 from cape cod)
I'm not convinced either will ever actually suit up for the Red Sox. Neither has a clear path and neither stands up as a top flight prospect if they're moved off their current position. (Mark Anderson)
2013-08-27 13:00:00 (link to chat)What is the ceiling of Mookie Betts, 2B for the Class A Advanced Red Sox?
(bkobs from Massachusetts)
yet another kid I don't know. (Harry Pavlidis)
2013-06-20 13:00:00 (link to chat)No hype for Mookie Betts? That walk to strikeout ratio is insane. A.J. Cole seems to be turning it back around. Any shot both players get in the top 100 by the end of the year?
(Giles from PA)
100% honesty: I know nothing of Betts. Very awesome K/BB ratio for a hitter (29 K, 46 BB). Cole, meanwhile, is one of my favorite prospects. I was thrilled when Washington reacquired him. I think he's still a ways out, but he looks sharp. (Paul Sporer)


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