Since the Boston Red Sox tend to move players up a league when their opponents no longer present a challenge, it might be wise to get out to Hadlock Field soon: Mookie Betts of the Sea Dogs is rapidly outgrowing Double A.
No, the 21-year-old second baseman isn’t going up to the Red Sox quite yet, but Pawtucket is a real possibility. Mookie is simply a dazzling hitter and fielder with no place to go but up, and that means he probably won’t spend the whole season in Portland.
A quick look at his numbers tell the story: He is hitting .405 with 34 hits and 24 runs in just 19 games; he is 8 for 9 in stolen bases; he has made just two errors while making plays in the infield that remind fans of Dustin Pedroia; counting last season, Mookie has been on base in 49 straight games (54 straight if his Carolina League playoff games of 2013 are included).
Plus, he is an animated personality with a cool nickname – a fan favorite here, and on the road, and one day, at Fenway Park. “Mookie” is from NBA point guard Mookie Blaylock; our Mookie has said, “I guess my parents were watching Mookie Blaylock play right after I was born.”
There’s nothing wrong with his given name of Markus Lynn Betts, and he’d be a fascinating fellow by any name. But today at Hadlock, soon at McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket, and one day at Fenway, count on fans shouting out “Mookie, Mookie, Mookie” for years to come.
Following six days on the road, the Sea Dogs return to Portland on Thursday, May 8, for four games with the New Hampshire Fisher Cats.
Second-baseman Mookie Betts digs for yet another grounder, which he will gobble up with ease and toss to first base to record another easy out.
Henry Ramos slams a single during Sunday’s 6-5 loss to Trenton. Ramos drove in the tying and winning runs in the 15th inning of the Sea Dogs’ thrilling 9-8 walk-off win against Trenton on Saturday night.
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