"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."
"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."
"I think the most important part is I think I'm 178 now, almost 180. I'm able to just have speed. Thankfully, as he told Plunkett, Betts has regained that weight."
Mookie Betts experienced a significant decline in 2025, finishing with a .258 batting average and missing All-Star and MVP consideration for the first time since 2014. His struggles stemmed primarily from a stomach bug at season's start that caused him to lose approximately 20 pounds from his normal 180-pound playing weight. This weight loss directly correlated with a 10 mph decrease in bat speed, making it difficult to catch up to 100 mph fastballs. Betts has since recovered to nearly 180 pounds and reports his bat speed has returned. He also adjusted to a new shortstop position during the season. Baseball Reference projects a rebound to .273/.354/.460 for the upcoming season.
Read at Dodgers Nation
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