Steve Webb
A bounce-back year from Betts would make this lineup truly deadly
LOS ANGELES — Last year, I gave the right field position an A+. And with good reason. In 2020, Mr. Marcus Lynn Betts was simply amazing. Hitting in the clutch. Swiping a base when needed. And playing superlative defense in the field. What was not to like? But this season, the right field position has more question marks than I care for. Let’s take a look.
Mookie Betts (2021: .264 AVG., 23 HR, 58 RBI)
And to be sure, there were flashes of that Mookie Betts in 2021. After all, he was still a top-twenty player in OPS in the National League. But still… we all know what Mookie can be. So looking at what he was last season was a little disappointing. To be sure, injuries were the main culprit for the drop off in production last year. It was an injured right hip that bothered him for most of the season. He was limited on the basepaths, finishing with just 10 stolen bases — his lowest total in any season in which he has played at least 100 games.
“It feels great,” Betts said of his hip. “I did some good work to get back healthy, and I’m ready to go.”
We sure hope so. This team is just so much better when an active and healthy Mookie Betts is on the field. Last year, there were just so many times when he came up with an opportunity to impact a game and he ended up turning over on a pitch and grounding out to the pull side. If that was caused by the hip, it will be great to say goodbye to all that.
“The number one thing is to be on the field to help the team,” Betts said. “If you’re not healthy on the field, then there’s no point in kind of being here. I’m just happy to be able to play.”
Betts is not yet 30 years old. There should be a lot of good years left in him. After all, you don’t sign somebody to a twelve-year deal and expect only 60 games worth of high-level production out of him. Here’s hoping Betts can get back to that dynamic player who led the team into the promised land in 2020.
Zach McKinstry (2021: .215 AVG., 7 HR, 29 RBI)
Like Chris Taylor, Zach McKinstry could be put almost anywhere in this preview. Over his 60 games last year, he saw time at second, third and left in addition to playing some right field when Betts was either on the IL or playing center. Last year was something of a Jekyll and Hyde season for McKinstry. He went from playing a key role at the beginning of the year to being practically a non-entity by the end of the season. His splits were something: before the All-Star break, he hit .249 with 7 home runs. After the break, he batted only .069 with but two hits in 29 at-bats, striking out a not-so-good 41 percent of the time.
Sometimes, there’s a reason a guy is drafted in the 33rd round. I doubt we get much out of McKinstry this season. And, with so many proven veterans in camp this year, he might not even make it out of camp on the Opening Day roster. Still, he did have his moment in the sun in 2021, and that is something most 33rd rounders can’t say.
Others…
It’ll be interesting to see how many outfielders make it out of camp this year. Kevin Pillar and Jake Lamb both have extensive big league experience and will be fighting for a spot on this roster. I could easily see one or both of them making the roster, especially with the DFA of Matt Beaty. Certainly, it’s the outfield that might give us a surprise or two when the Opening Day roster is announced. Stay tuned.
DODGERSBEAT GRADE: B+
