What do ya know? Another Mookie Betts testimonial.
Betts, who continues to draw rave reviews at Red Sox spring training, received another ringing endorsement from one of his competitors for playing time in Boston’s crowded outfield. According to Shane Victorino, Betts has the tools, makeup and drive to be something special.
“He’s willing to learn to get to that point,” Victorino recently told The Boston Globe’s Alex Speier. “Sometimes a kid of his stature, sometimes they go, ‘I know it all. I don’t need to learn.’ It’s the opposite approach for him. Day 1 when I was in Pawtucket (for a rehab assignment), this guy was asking me about positioning, jumps, reads. I’ll take that guy any day.
“He’s ahead of the curve. Mookie’s got so much upside, so much potential,” Victorino added. “The kid that he is, the willingness to want to be better, is what I feel like will let him reach greatness.”
Betts and Victorino could share an outfield quite frequently this season. While Victorino figures to be Boston’s starting right fielder if he stays healthy, Betts looks poised to win the Red Sox’s center field job, especially with teammate Rusney Castillo battling an oblique injury.
Betts, who burst onto the scene in 2014, has been the subject of trade rumors because Boston’s starting rotation lacks an ace and the 22-year-old is well-regarded across Major League Baseball. It’s become increasingly clear, however, why the Red Sox seemingly have zero interest in trading him.
Thumbnail photo via Tommy Gilligan/USA TODAY Sports Images
