It all goes back to when the Los Angeles Dodgers landed in Tokyo to kick off the 2025 season. The Dodgers earned consecutive wins over the Chicago Cubs. However, all eyes were on the field for Mookie Betts, who was watching his team from the sidelines. Since then, a persistent stomach bug has kept Betts away from finding his rhythm for the 2025 season. His batting average dropped to .230 through the month of April. That doesn’t sound quite like a shortstop with multiple Silver Slugger and Gold Glove awards, right?

Well, Betts agrees with this, too. He publicly called his batting average “trash” in an interview. In addition to that blunt criticism, he also compared himself with the two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani. The veteran shortstop has further described the key areas he needs to work on: precision and timing when he’s swinging. But now, things are becoming alarming in regards to his position.

Amidst his ongoing stretch of the slump, Betts is now facing a challenge to save his spot. As there’s a rising prospect appearing as a threat to Betts: Alex Freeland, who the Dodgers drafted using the 105th overall pick in the third round of the 2022 MLB draft. If he gets an MLB call-up, Dodgers’ shortstop star Mookie Betts could be forced to leave his preferred spot. You see, since Betts was traded to the Dodgers in 2020, he has been an outfielder who has switched to four different positions.

Throughout his time in Dodgerland, he has played over 3000 innings in right field, 214 in center, 690 at second base, and 920 at shortstop. Would he be comfortable with yet another position change? Well, that’s very unlikely to happen. But for Freeland, it’s an

opportunity he will not let slip away. Not to forget, he has worked hard to get here.

After all, he has played remarkably in three minor league levels. He has hit 63 extra-base hits, and the Dodgers were naturally impressed. Then, Freeland was established as the league’s No. 66 prospect and the Dodgers’ No. 4 prospect. Currently, at Triple A, Freeland’s batting average is .290 with an .825 OPS. He’s looking more and more like he’s ready for the big leagues. But it’s not just the bat; he’s flashing some serious leather at shortstop, too, with great range and a cannon for an arm.

This is a tough decision to make for the Dodgers. They could either be on the safe side and wait for Betts to come back stronger, or they could give their system’s rising prospect a chance.

Will Mookie Betts be moved to the outfield?

The Dodgers’ lineup is arguably star-studded with remarkable players. However, beneath the surface, the cracks are subtly affecting the roster. To be precise, it’s their left field that needs some serious fixing. Michael Conforto is currently making headlines for his terribly low slash line: .153/.291/.246. His ongoing poor outings are impossible to ignore. And now, the Dodgers’ patience is being tested even more after Tommy Edman and Teoscar Hernández’s injury setbacks.

Sam Phalen from FanSided proposed some suggestions to fix the Dodgers’ depth. Phalen suggested that the Dodgers can move Mookie Betts to the outfield. His role as shortstop is already in discussed to give it to Freeland. Well, it could work for the Dodgers, as even though Freeland is young and has no major league experience, his numbers are pretty good. Now, it’s been said that Freeland puts on a stellar show on both sides of the ball. That’s exactly what the Dodgers need right now—flexibility.

Not to forget, right now, Hyeseong Kim is doing well right now. Occasionally, he fills in center field as well. All the signs suggest that Betts will be moved to the outfield. And no, they won’t even wait to call Freeland up; they can do it anytime soon. The Dodgers are currently plagued with injury setbacks, and making some Tweaks on the field feels right from their point of view.