Braves players and coaches never questioned rookie catcher Christian Bethancourt’s vast defensive skills, which they saw on display in spring training for several years. But until this season, there were some who wondered whether he would ever hit big-league pitching, or how much he was driven to reach his potential.
Those questions have been answered, as far as his teammates and Braves officials are concerned
Bethancourt, 23, has only 65 plate appearances and one extra-base hit in the majors this season. But has batted .272, and his 17 hits include more than his share in key situations, like a two-out, run-scoring single off Stephen Strasburg for the game-winning RBI in Wednesday’s 6-2 Braves win at Nationals Park.
And it’s more than statistics that other players notice. Bethancourt got that hit against Strasburg on a full-count, 97-mph fastball, after falling behind 0-2.
“With two strikes, he and Strasburg (were battling),” Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman said. “Before he got that two-out hit, he was getting 95-, 96-, 97-mph heaters on the outside corner, and he was just flicking his wrist and just fouling pitches off till he got one he was able to hit.
“His approach has come a long way in the last couple of years and he’s very, very calm, cool and collected up at the plate and doesn’t let anything get to him. And he’s starting to show that when he gets chances.”
Bethancourt is 7-for-28 (.250) with bases empty, but 10-for-34 (.294) with runners on and 7-for-22 (.318) with runners in scoring position. With two outs and runners in scoring position, Bethancourt is 7-for-15 (.467).
“I like what I see. I love what I see,” veteran Braves backup catcher Gerald Laird said. “I think the kid’s got a really big future. I mean, defensively, catching-wise, he’s the real deal. I still think there’s going to be some growing pains with his offense. Everybody goes through it, especially with a young hitter. But you see the power, you see the swing.
“I honestly think the kid’s got a chance to be a really good player on both sides of the ball, offensively and defensively. But if you look at him, you can tell he’s got a chance to be a (special) defensive catcher, with his arm and the way he blocks balls, and the way he receives. He’s learning now how to call a game. It’s going to take some time because he’s got to learn the hitters. But for me, I think the whole package is there.”
Bethancourt got regular playing time when slugger Evan Gattis was sidelined three weeks with a bulging disk in July and while Gattis missed the Washington series this week with strep throat. It didn’t take Bethancourt long in July to convince people he made significant progress since spring training.
“His defense was there. It was just calling the game and paying attention and concentrating on what he was doing,” said Eddie Perez, Braves bullpen coach and former catcher. “He never showed us anything in spring training. When he came up the first time this year, it surprised me. It surprised everybody. That’s what we wanted from him. He’s got the tools.”
He hit only .203 with no homers in April at Triple-A Gwinnett and had two homers and a .297 OBP in May. But Bethancourt ramped it up to .329 with a .352 OBP in June. After spending most of July in the majors, he continued his tear in Triple-A in August, batting .342 with three homers and 10 RBIs in 19 games before he was recalled to Atlanta.
“I just think at spring training, he knew he was going to Triple-A so he wasn’t trying,” Perez said. “So when he got here (to majors) this year, he showed me and he showed everybody that he’s ready to go. That’s good, man. I was so happy, not (just) for him, I was happy for the organization. Because we expected a lot from him and I think he’s ready to go.”
The Braves plan to have Gattis serve as designated hitter this weekend against the Rangers. Manager Fredi Gonzalez plans to catch Bethancourt Friday and Saturday and have veteran backup Gerald Laird catch Mike Minor on Sunday.
It feels like Bethancourt has been in the organization for so long, because so much has been said and written about him since the Braves signed the cannon-armed Panamanian as a 16-year-old free agent. In this era, top prospects that take as long as he has to reach the majors are often flawed in one or more areas.
But with Bethancourt, there has never been any concerns about his physical or mental capabilities. He’s big — 6 feet 2, 210 pounds — but lean and extremely athletic for a catcher. He’s sharp, always trying to learn more about all aspects of the game. He’s fluent in English after spending countless hours studying and practicing the language in the minors.
Some wondered a couple of years ago if he’d ever be more than a good defensive catcher and No. 8-type hitter. But now the Braves believe he’s ready to excel. He could get the opportunity in 2015 if the Braves trade Gattis or shuffle the outfield and move Gattis to left.
