Los Angeles Dodgers: Bold predictions for Mookie Betts in 2020

1. Mookie Betts becomes the second player since 1950 to score 150 runs

It seems almost unprecedented for a player in 2020 to score 150 runs, and as history has shown, it is a rare feat that has not been accomplished in the modern era of baseball. Only one player has scored 150 runs in a season since the 1950s and that was Jeff Bagwell, who scored 152 runs in 2000.

The 45 other instances in which a player scored 150 runs or more all became before the 1950s, with the last instance being Ted Williams in 1949.

That might seem like a tall mountain to climb but Betts has already shown that he can get pretty close. He has led the MLB in runs scored the last two seasons, scoring 129 runs in 2018 and 135 runs in 2019, despite last year being a “down year” compared to his normal standards.

Betts’ batting average and on-base percentage did dip last season and he still scored more runs, so if he can get close to finding that 2018 form with the Los Angeles Dodgers then 150 runs is absolutely not out of play.

His on-base percentage in 2018 was .438. We know he is capable of doing it, and as long as he gets on base 42 percent of the time then he should hit 150.

Let’s assume he plays 150 games and logs 715 plate appearances. A .420 on-base percentage would put him on base exactly 300 times throughout the year, meaning he would have to score every other time he gets on base.

That might seem like a huge task for a player, and it is, but Betts is capable. He is going to have Max Muncy, who can drive him in right away or work a walk to get him to second, Justin Turner, who will always put together a good AB and is really good at placing the ball and moving runners over situationally, and Cody Bellinger, who is Cody Bellinger.

Betts is going to hit around 30 home runs and 45-50 extra-base hits, making over half of the runs “easy” for the Dodgers to drive him in.