Mookie Betts followed up his third consecutive Silver Slugger Award in 2024 with a more modest 2025 campaign, finishing with a .258/.326/.406 slash line across 150 games. During his age-32 season, he hit 20 home runs for the eighth time in his career, but his 8 stolen bases marked the first time he failed to reach double digits in a full season since his rookie year in 2014, when he appeared in just 52 games.
Batting either leadoff or second in the Dodgers lineup all year helped him accumulate 82 RBIs and 95 runs scored, though by his standards it was the least productive season of his career.
Defensively, Betts rebounded at shortstop after struggling at the position over the previous two years, finishing 2025 with plus-17 Defensive Runs Saved and plus-6 Outs Above Average. However, his 2026 fantasy eligibility will be limited to shortstop after logging just 1 appearance in the outfield.
Underlying metrics suggest some poor fortune. Betts posted a career-low 35.8% hard-hit rate, but a .258 Batting Average on Balls in Play (BABIP) alongside a .267 Expected Batting Average (xBA) and .422 Expected Slugging Percentage (xSLG) indicate that his overall production may have undershot his true performance level.
What to Expect from Mookie Betts in 2026 Fantasy Baseball
Betts’ strengths remain rooted in his plate discipline, lineup context, and baseball IQ. Even in a down year, he maintained strong on-base skills and continued to benefit from hitting in one of the most potent lineups in baseball.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts recently acknowledged that Betts could hit third in 2026 behind Shohei Ohtani and Kyle Tucker, a potential shift that would enhance his run production opportunities in Points formats.
There were identifiable reasons behind his offensive regression. Betts revealed that transitioning to full-time shortstop disrupted his usual preparation routine, and an early-season stomach virus that caused him to lose 20 pounds compromised his strength and mechanics.
His .318 Weighted On-base Average (wOBA) was the lowest of his career, and he acknowledged falling into poor habits at the plate. This offseason, Betts stated that he has been “rewiring” his body and feels in a much better place physically entering his age-33 campaign.
From a weaknesses standpoint, the declining hard-hit rate and reduced stolen base output raise legitimate concerns. He no longer profiles as an elite power-speed threat, and at this stage of his career, expecting a return to MVP-level dominance may be unrealistic.
The shift to single-position eligibility also slightly reduces his roster flexibility in Fantasy Baseball Points Leagues.
That said, Betts still carries a dependable floor. With everyday playing time in Los Angeles and a premium lineup spot, he projects for strong counting stats even if his raw tools have begun to taper. A reasonable 2026 expectation would include 20 to 25 home runs, double-digit steals if health cooperates, and continued strong run and RBI totals given the surrounding talent.
As far as shortstop hierarchy for Fantasy Baseball Points Leagues, I rank him at Tier 3 under Bobby Witt Jr., Elly De La Cruz, and Gunnar Henderson, among others, and higher than CJ Abrams, Jeremy Peña, and Geraldo Perdomo.
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