Mookie Betts is gearing up for a comeback in his seventh season with the Los Angeles Dodgers, aiming to leave behind a challenging year at the plate. Last season, Betts faced an uphill battle after a stomach virus sidelined him from the Tokyo Series, causing him to lose about 20 pounds. This weight loss impacted his strength and bat speed, leading to a dip in his offensive production.
In 2025, Betts' bat speed took a hit, contributing to his struggles at the plate. He posted a .258/.326/.406 slash line with 23 doubles, 20 home runs, and 82 RBIs over 150 games.
However, this spring tells a different story, with Betts attributing his improved performance to regaining his bat speed. As he explained, his bat speed was down nearly 10 mph last year, which was a significant factor in his difficulties.
Now, with his weight back up to nearly 180 pounds, Betts is feeling confident about handling high-velocity pitches again.
Betts emphasized that his current physical condition allows him to swing with the same speed he had in his younger years, which has also positively impacted his mental game. He no longer feels the pressure to rush his decisions at the plate, which has brought a sense of consistency and calmness to his approach.
During the offseason, Betts focused on "rewiring" his body, honing his swing, mentality, and movement. He continues to benefit from a stretching routine introduced by Yada Sensei, the training guru of Yoshinobu Yamamoto, which has been part of his regimen for two years.
So far in Spring Training, Betts is showing promising signs. In seven Cactus League games, he boasts a .316/.350/.526 line with two extra-base hits and two RBIs in 20 plate appearances. Having hit his first home run of the spring on Sunday, Betts looks poised for a strong start to the season as Opening Day approaches.