When the Los Angeles Dodgers acquired Mookie Bates, they did so in the hope that they could replicate his 2018 performance with the Boston Red Sox.
That year, he scored .346 / .438 / .640, including 32 home runs, 129 runs, 80 RBIs, and 30 stealing bases: he clearly won the MVP award.
Since then, he has had three great years, but not the rest of the world, but now, in 2022, he has reached the same level as in 2018.
“Mookie Bates has a 164 wRC + (184 PAs). In 2018 he finished with a higher wRC + than his MVP year,” tweeted Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya.
Mookie Bates has a 164 wRC + (184 PAs). Only in 2018 when his MVP year ended with a higher wRC +.
– Fabian Ardaya (FabianArdaya) May 24, 2022
That stat, wRC +, means weighted run created plus.
According to MLB, “wRC + determines the amount of run creation and makes it normal, so we can compare players playing in different ballparks and even in different eras.”
wRC + adjusted on a league-average scale: 100 is average, and anything above that is above average; And below average.
He produced 72 percent more than the average heater
Bates’ current 172 wRC + (this has increased since Ardaya’s tweet) means he has made 72 percent more than the average hitter in MLB.
Although he is very close, Bates’ current wRC + mark is still a hair’s breadth below his 2018 185 mark.
The Bates have already helped the Dodgers win a World Series championship, their first since 1988, in 2020.
This year, he’s cut .292 / .385 / .578 to 12 home runs, 44 runs, 30 RBIs, and even three stealing bases.
He also played his traditional elite defense on the outfield.
2.7 At Wins Above Replacement (WAR), he is one of the leaders in MLB when it comes to contributing to his team.
He remains an elite talent who should be one of the stars of MLB for next year.
Dodgers are lucky to have Betts on their list for the long term.