Career Timeline of Mookie Betts: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Mookie Betts made an impact.

Mookie Betts is a highly accomplished American professional baseball player currently with the Los Angeles Dodgers, previously starring for the Boston Red Sox. An eight-time All-Star, seven-time Silver Slugger, and six-time Gold Glove winner, Betts has secured three World Series championships. He was named American League MVP in 2018 and ranks second in Wins Above Replacement (WAR) among active position players. He plays primarily as an outfielder but has also played shortstop and second base. Betts represents the United States in international competition, marking him as one of baseball's premier talents.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2011: Drafted by the Red Sox

In 2011, Mookie Betts was drafted by the Boston Red Sox.

2011: Drafted by Red Sox and Signs Contract

In 2011, Mookie Betts was selected by the Boston Red Sox in the fifth round of the Major League Baseball draft. He rescinded his commitment to the University of Tennessee and signed a $750,000 contract with the Red Sox organization.

2012: Plays for Lowell Spinners

In 2012, Mookie Betts batted .267 and stole 20 bases in 71 games for the Lowell Spinners of the New York–Penn League.

2013: Reaching Base Streak

In 2013, Mookie Betts started a streak of reaching base in consecutive games.

2013: Plays for Greenville Drive

In 2013, Mookie Betts started the season with the Greenville Drive, batting .296 with a 19-game hitting streak and was selected to the South Atlantic League All-Star Game.

2013: Promoted to Salem Red Sox and Named Offensive Player of the Year

On July 9, 2013, Mookie Betts was promoted to the Salem Red Sox, batting .341 in 51 games. He finished the season with a combined .314 average, 15 home runs, and 38 steals between Greenville and Salem. He was named Offensive Player of the Year and Breakout Player of the Year in the Boston minor league system.

May 2014: Plays Outfield

Since mid-May 2014, Mookie Betts has played outfield in addition to second base.

June 28, 2014: Promoted to Red Sox

On June 28, 2014, Mookie Betts was promoted to the Boston Red Sox.

2014: Continues Reaching Base Streak

In 2014, Mookie Betts continued a streak of reaching base in consecutive games.

2014: First Career Grand Slam and Plays Second Base

In 2014, Mookie Betts hit his first career grand slam against Chris Archer. On September 11, 2014, he began playing second base "fairly regularly".

2014: MLB Debut

In 2014, Mookie Betts made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut with the Boston Red Sox, splitting time between second base and the outfield, later becoming the team's center fielder.

2014: Starts with Portland Sea Dogs, Promoted to Pawtucket Red Sox

In 2014, Mookie Betts started the season with the Portland Sea Dogs, batting .355 in 54 games. On June 3, 2014, he was promoted to the Pawtucket Red Sox, batting .322.

2014: 2014 Season Split Between AA, AAA and MLB

Mookie Betts split the 2014 season between AA, AAA and MLB, playing 52 major league games and hitting .291 with five home runs for the Red Sox, spending over half his innings in center field.

April 6, 2015: Home Run on Opening Day

On April 6, 2015, Mookie Betts hit a home run in his second at-bat on Opening Day for the Boston Red Sox.

June 21, 2015: AL Player of the Week

Mookie Betts was named the AL Player of the Week for the week ending on June 21, 2015, after batting .581 with two home runs, two triples, three doubles, seven RBI, and eight runs. During that week, he led the AL in batting average, hits, on-base percentage, total bases, and slugging percentage.

September 12, 2016: Strikeout Streak Started

From September 12, 2016, Mookie Betts maintained a streak of 129 consecutive plate appearances without a strikeout.

2016: Moved to Right Field

In 2016, Mookie Betts moved to right field for the Boston Red Sox.

2016: All-Star Selection, Player of the Month, and 200 Hits

In 2016, Mookie Betts was selected to the MLB All-Star Game, named AL Player of the Month for July, and became the first player to reach 200 hits during the 2016 MLB season.

2016: AL East Division and Defensive Player of the Year

In 2016, the Red Sox clinched the AL East Division, but lost to the Cleveland Indians in the ALDS. Mookie Betts was named Wilson Sporting Goods Defensive Player of the Year at right field and best overall among all major league fielders.

April 19, 2017: Strikeout Streak Ended

On April 19, 2017, Mookie Betts' streak of 129 consecutive plate appearances without a strikeout ended when he was struck out by Francisco Liriano of the Toronto Blue Jays.

July 2, 2017: Eight RBIs from Leadoff Spot

On July 2, 2017, in a game against the Toronto Blue Jays, Mookie Betts tied an MLB record by recording eight RBIs from the leadoff spot. On the same day, he was selected for his second American League All-Star Game selection.

2017: Contract Renewal

Prior to the 2017 season, the Red Sox renewed Mookie Betts' contract with a salary of $950,000.

April 17, 2018: Comparison to Mike Trout and Three Home Run Game

On April 17, 2018, Nick Cafardo compared Mookie Betts to Mike Trout. That night, Betts hit three home runs to lead the Red Sox to a win, tying him with Ted Williams for the most three-homer games in Red Sox history.

2018: Batting order change

Before the 2019 season, manager Alex Cora stated he would swap the batting positions of Betts and Benintendi from their usual 2018 order.

2018: Historic Season

In 2018, Mookie Betts became the first player in MLB history to win the Most Valuable Player award, Silver Slugger award, Gold Glove award, batting title, and World Series all in the same season.

2018: MLB leading performance and milestones

In 2018, Mookie Betts had a major league-leading 15 home runs by May 21. He led MLB in several offensive categories. On July 6, 2018, Betts hit his 22nd home run of the season, marking the 100th of his MLB career. On July 8, 2018, Betts was named to the 2018 MLB All-Star Game. On August 9, 2018, he hit for the cycle against the Toronto Blue Jays. On September 26, 2018, Betts stole his 30th base, becoming the second Red Sox player to join the 30–30 club.

2018: Salary Arbitration Award

In 2018, Mookie Betts was awarded a $10.5 million salary for the 2018 season through salary arbitration.

2018: AL MVP Award

In 2018, Mookie Betts was named the Most Valuable Player in the American League.

2019: Performance and Awards

During the 2019 season, Betts appeared in 150 games, batting .295 with a .915 OPS. He was awarded his fourth consecutive Gold Glove and his third Silver Slugger after the 2019 season and finished eighth in AL MVP voting.

2019: Salary agreement and All-Star Selection

In 2019, Betts and the Red Sox agreed on a $20 million salary. At the beginning of June in 2019, Alex Cora announced that Betts would again be the team's leadoff hitter. At the end of June 2019, Betts had a .261 average with 13 home runs and 37 RBIs. He was selected as a reserve outfielder to the 2019 All-Star Game. On July 26, 2019, Betts had the fifth three-homer game of his career against the Yankees.

February 10, 2020: Trade to the Los Angeles Dodgers

On February 10, 2020, the Red Sox traded Betts, David Price, and cash considerations to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Alex Verdugo, Connor Wong, and Jeter Downs.

August 27, 2020: Reaching 1,000 MLB Career Hits

On August 27, 2020, Mookie Betts reached 1,000 MLB career hits.

2020: Salary agreement for 2020 season

Betts and the Red Sox agreed to a $27 million salary for the 2020 season.

2020: Traded to the Dodgers

In 2020, Mookie Betts was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

2020: World Series Champion with Dodgers

Mookie Betts won the World Series in 2020 with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

August 7, 2023: Grand Slam Record

On August 7, 2023, Mookie Betts hit his fifth career grand slam home run as a lead-off batter, tying a Major League record.

2023: Infield Versatility

In 2023, Mookie Betts showcased his versatility by playing significant time at second base and also making his first career appearance as a shortstop due to injuries and underperformance among Dodgers infielders.

2024: Starting Shortstop and Injury

In 2024, Mookie Betts was slated to become the Dodgers' full-time second baseman, but became the starting shortstop. On June 16, 2024, Betts fractured his left hand after being hit by a pitch and went on the injured list, before returning to right field on August 12.