Sat May 10 04:50:00 UTC 2025: ## Dodgers Star Mookie Betts Battles Below-Average Bat Speed Despite Stellar Performance

**Los Angeles, CA** – Despite being a perennial All-Star and a key figure in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ lineup, Mookie Betts is battling a surprising weakness: below-average bat speed. The seven-time Silver Slugger winner, who recently recovered from an illness that cost him 20 pounds, admits his concern is warranted, as his bat speed has been trending downwards in recent seasons, impacting his performance.

While Betts’ recent struggles briefly saw his batting average dip to .176 over a 13-game stretch, he has rebounded strongly. He attributes the slump to bad habits developed while regaining strength and bat speed after his illness. Even when fully healthy, Betts’ bat speed consistently ranks below league average, further hindered by his weight loss.

However, Betts’ struggles are not reflected entirely in his overall performance. He’s excelling in other key metrics, particularly Statcast’s “squared-up rate,” which measures the efficiency of his bat path and ability to hit the sweet spot. This is attributed to his exceptional bat control and ability to achieve near-maximum exit velocity. This high squared-up rate has remained consistently among the game’s best over the last three seasons.

The Dodgers remain unconcerned, noting Betts’ recent .324 batting average and .817 OPS over his last ten games. They point to his outstanding overall performance as evidence that bat speed is not the sole determinant of his success. Further bolstering this point is the fact that his OPS+ remains above league average, and that his strikeout rate is currently at a career best.

Betts’ proactive approach includes offseason work at Driveline Baseball, experimenting with weighted bats to improve his speed. Despite these efforts, his bat speed remains a concern, especially as he approaches his 33rd birthday. While he’s currently working to regain his peak form, his focus highlights the unique challenges even elite players face in maintaining peak performance. The season is young, and there is still ample opportunity for Betts to return to his dominant form.

Read More