Oct 1, 2015; Bronx, NY, USA; Boston Red Sox center fielder Mookie Betts (50) singles to center allowing a runner to score during the fifth inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
At 23-years-old you can expect to have a breakout season, but Mookie Betts? Was I in therapy during 2015? Lost in an alternate universe than was all non-Betts? The kid slashed .291/.341/.479 and poked 21 home runs and collected 77 RBI and most of that was from the lead-off spot.
As the line say’s “We have only just begun.” Betts will bring it to another level in 2016. The speed on the bases will show some improvement with continued experience and study. In 2015, it was 21 steals in 27 attempts. I expect Betts to surpass 40 steals. The power will increase and you will see – in a few seasons – Betts eventually moved into the third slot in the order.
The 12.5 K% will start to diminish a bit and the UZR/150 will certainly not be zero. Betts can play the outfield and Red Sox Nation saw that with electrifying and hazardous attempts to corral pitching mistakes. Betts may not have Jackie Bradley’s arm, but he has a decent one.