It was supposed to be a season of bold reinvention. The Los Angeles Dodgers slid their superstar into a new position, rebuilt their lineup around him, and trusted Mookie Betts to be the steadying force atop a championship-caliber roster. But as May winds down, that vision hasn’t quite materialized. The results, especially at the plate, have been erratic. The energy is still there, the effort unquestioned. But the rhythm? The timing? The swagger? Not so much.

Betts, now a full-time shortstop, is feeling the weight of expectations. The position change was daring, even admirable, and defensively, he’s held his own. But offensively, the former MVP has looked… human. A little late on fastballs. A little unsure of himself. And perhaps most tellingly, willing to admit it. Even he didn’t sugarcoat his struggles following a rare multi-homer game earlier this month: “It’s kind of been all over the place.”

When finally manager Dave Roberts was asked about Betts’ performance, he didn’t sugarcoat it either. Though he credited Betts for holding his own defensively, even exceeding expectations at times, he decided to be blunt about the offense. “He just hasn’t been able to find his stroke consistently,” he admitted. “He’s grinding. Constantly grinding.” That comment, delivered without spin, was a message. It wasn’t panic, but it was pointed — a clear sign that even within the organization, there’s a sense of urgency.

Betts previously stated, “Just trying to figure things out. I found a little cue that worked today, so we’ll see tomorrow. It’s a constant battle. You don’t feel good every day.” But how could that work? The Dodgers aren’t built to “figure it out later.” They’re built to win now.

And the most important element of that plan is Betts. Not just for his glove, but for his bat. Yet, as weeks have passed and the results have remained stuck in neutral, concern has grown. Perhaps, early-season illness might have played a role. But Roberts didn’t believe so, as he waved that away: “That’s well past us now.” Translation? The grace period is over.

Despite some doubts creeping in about Betts’ performance as October approaches swiftly and the Dodgers aim for a championship run; there’s still faith in his abilities based on his track record of success and leadership qualities displayed. It’s a matter of him hitting his peak form sooner rather than later to bolster their chances at glory.

The swing struggle: Mookie Betts battling inconsistency at the plate

When a standout player such as Betts faces challenges in batting performance on the field, it stands out clearly to observers and fans. Throughout the 2025 season, Betts has encountered slumps that have confused fans and analysts. A specific example of this was seen during the Dodgers’ series with the Giants in April, where Betts only managed to hit 2 out of 18 times at bat, resulting in several strikeouts and zero extra base hits.

Later, in a tough May stretch in Colorado, he struggled to get hits with three successful at-bats out of 2,0, frequently mistiming pitches and producing weak grounders instead. These cold spells have become a recurring theme this season, signaling that something isn’t clicking. But Betts himself has openly acknowledged the challenge.

After a recent game where he started to find some rhythm, he said, “It’s kind of been all over the place… Just trying to figure things out. I found a little cue that worked today, so we’ll see tomorrow. It’s a constant battle. You don’t feel good every day. There are a lot of variables that go into it.” His words unveil the mental and mechanical struggle he experiences every time he sets his foot on the ground. A battle that can fluctuate greatly from day to day.

Betts’ honesty is quite uncommon for a player of his caliber and highlights the nature of this season for him. It’s evident that the powerful swing that used to unsettle pitchers across the league has been absent lately. This has led Betts to make adjustments and reflect upon his performance. However, the recent signs of progress suggest that he is actively working towards finding the winning formula that could restore him to being the hitter Dodgers fans have always known him to be.

In the end, the grind isn’t easy, and Dodgers supporters must remain patient; this tale is still unfolding far from its conclusion.