Dodgers News: Mookie Betts Nominated for 2025 NL Gold Glove Award

Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts has been nominated for the 2025 National League Gold Glove Award

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Los Angeles, CA - September 08: Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts (50) fields the ball at the top of the seventh inning at the game between the Colorado Rockies and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Monday, Sept. 8, 2025 in Los Angeles, CA. (Carlin Stiehl / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CA—In year two of the Mookie Betts to shortstop experiment for the Los Angeles Dodgers has appeared to pay off as the former six-time Gold Glove Award winner in the outfield was nominated for the 2025 National League Gold Glove Award at shortstop.

Last spring, after Gavin Lux, a former top prospect, struggled with the yips, the team made an unconventional decision. They moved Mookie Betts, who had been preparing to serve as the Dodgers’ full-time second baseman, to the shortstop position. Betts played there for the entire first half of the 2024 season until a broken wrist forced a change in plans for Los Angeles.

Still, before the move, Betts was having trouble at the premium spot, posting a below-league-average fielding percentage of .963, -4 OAA (Outs Above Average), -3 FRV (Fielding Run-Value), nine errors (eight throwing), and a -4.6 UZR (Ultimate Zone Rating).

Though the team moved Betts back to right field last season out of necessity, the Dodgers and Betts continued with this arrangement this season. Now, as a veteran natural infielder, he has an entire offseason to train and prepare for the position.

Despite the mediocre metrics, some indicators favor Betts defensively at shortstop. Notably, he has 3 DRS (Defensive Runs Saved) and 3rPM (Real Plus-Minus), along with a strong traditional eye test, confirming Betts as a well-rounded athlete.

Fast-forward a year, and Mookie Betts’ switch to a major league shortstop has been an impressive achievement following ten years of outstanding defensive play in right field.

The Gold Glove Award for shortstop in the National League will be awarded to one of Betts, Masyn Wynn of the St. Louis Cardinals, and Nick Allen of the Atlanta Braves.

This year, Betts topped the National League shortstops with 17 Defensive Runs Saved and a 12 Total Zone Rating. According to Baseball Savant’s Fielding Run Value, Wynn (+17) and Allen (+12) ranked highest in the NL, while Betts was at +3. Similarly, in Outs Above Average, Wynn (+21) led, followed by Allen (+17), and Betts recorded +5.

Veteran utility infielder Miguel Rojas was also nominated for a Gold Glove Award, ranking as a top-three finalist in the utility category, which was introduced in the 2022 season.

The Gold Glove Award winners will be announced on Sunday, November 2nd, on ESPN.

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