"I've always kind of tracked it. But last year was probably the most alarming because it was down just about 10 mph. There's no excuse there. It's something I've tracked, and I'll keep up with. It doesn't matter for everyone, but for me it does."
"I think the most important part is I think I'm 178 now, almost 180. I'm able to just have speed. When I lost all that weight, I was down 10 mph in (bat) speed. Guys are throwing 100 mph. With a slow bat, it's going to be hard. It's no excuse. It's a fact. Now that I've got my speed back, I don't have to hurry up and make decisions so fast."
"When I show up to the park, I don't have to guess. I don't have to panic. It's just the same every day. You're going to have days when you get hits and days when you don't."
Mookie Betts experienced significant offensive decline in 2024, batting .258 with 20 home runs and 82 RBIs across 150 games. A stomach virus contracted before the Tokyo Series caused him to lose approximately 20 pounds, which directly impacted his bat speed by roughly 10 mph and compromised his ability to catch up to high-velocity pitches. His weight has since recovered to nearly 180 pounds during spring training. With his bat speed restored to previous levels, Betts reports improved confidence and mental clarity at the plate, eliminating the need to rush decisions or panic when facing opposing pitchers.
Read at Dodger Blue
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