Mookie Betts seems to have a firm grasp on the outfield regardless of his exact position.
The Boston Red Sox recently exposed Betts to right field while making evaluations for 2016. They shifted the soon-to-be 23-year-old back to center field earlier this week against the New York Yankees with Rusney Castillo battling a quad ailment, and Betts showed Friday night against the Cleveland Indians why Boston can feel good about his ability to hold down either area of the outfield moving forward.
Carlos Santana singled into center field in the first inning with Francisco Lindor on second base and Ryan Raburn stationed at first base. Lindor tried to score on the play, but Betts had other ideas.
Betts fired an absolute laser to the dish to nab Lindor for the second out of the inning. Henry Owens escaped a second-and-third jam moments later by striking out Yan Gomes.
The Indians struck for four runs two innings later to seize control of the contest, but the Red Sox can take solace in the small things as they close out their 2015 campaign. And Betts’ emergence, both offensively and defensively, certainly has been impressive.
Betts has a team-leading 10 outfield assists this season.
