When Andrew Friedman traded for Mookie Betts before the start of the 2020 season, everyone knew Los Angeles was going all in. What many didn’t expect was that Friedman would then sign the Tennessee native to a 12-year, $365 million extension, likely locking him down as a Dodger for the rest of his career. Making such a premature move before he even played a single game for the organization was risky, even if he was a former AL MVP.
However, Mookie hushed any unsatisfaction as he had yet another MVP caliber year finishing second behind Freddie Freeman. He was arguably the best right fielder in the game during 2020 as he impacted the game in any way he could. Well, MLB Network believes he will continue that trend as The Shredder ranked Mr. Betts as the No. 1 right fielder ahead of the 2021 season.
The brightest ⭐️ in Hollywood!@mookiebetts is the #1 RF in the game!#Top10RightNow | @Dodgers pic.twitter.com/SAGvia4hRf
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) February 4, 2021
Related: Cody Bellinger Ranked the Second-Best Center Fielder for 2021
Hitting .292 on the season with 16 home runs and 39 RBIs will lead to such recognition. He followed that up with a .296 average, 2 home runs, and 8 RBIs in the postseason. Be that as it may, his glove and base running not just throughout the playoffs, but the whole season continuously sparked energy in the Dodgers’ dugout.
.@mookiebetts: difference maker pic.twitter.com/PLIbZpY3Fn
— MLB (@MLB) October 28, 2020
Still just 28-years old and in the middle of his prime, there’s little doubt that Betts can keep up his high level of play. He edged out some tough competition for the top spot with names like Juan Soto, Ronald Acuńa Jr., Bryce Harper, etc. All of them are talent in their own right, yet few can affect a game like Mookie. Bellinger, who ranked as the second best center fielder, along with Mookie form a dynamic duo in the outfield. He’s only been here a short while, but so far Betts is just another star that has made Hollywood his home and it would stay that way for 12 more years.
