Braves catcher A.J. Pierzynski has been the team’s best hitter in the early part of the season so there’s been no reason for manager Fredi Gonzalez to be concerned about getting Christian Bethancourt more starts.
Reds speedster Billy Hamilton gives him a reason, so Gonzalez wants Bethancourt’s big arm behind the plate for two games of the four-game series.
Bethancourt was in the lineup for the series opener on Thursday and Gonzalez said he plans to start him again on Sunday in the series finale. Pierzynski had started eight of the nine previous games.
“This guy is a force behind the plate in the running game,” Gonzalez said. “I’d like to see him and Billy Hamilton—well, you know what, I take it back, I don’t want to see Billy Hamilton on the base path. But (Bethancourt) is a guy that, when he is catching, the other manager knows we can’t just run at will. He turns it around really, really well.”
Hamilton doesn’t get on base much—he had a .295 on-base percentage in 719 career plate appearances entering Thursday—but he’s a threat to run when he does.
Hamilton had 56 stolen bases in 79 attempts in 2014, his first full season in the majors. In his first 19 games this season he had a majors-leading 13 stolen bases in 14 attempts.
Bethancourt is considered one of the Braves’ top prospects in large part because of his strong throwing arm. During spring training Gonzalez said he wasn’t concerned with Bethancourt’s hitting and wanted him to focus on his defense after he allowed six passed balls in 79 innings last season, Bethancourt’s first full year in the majors.
Bethancourt entered Thursday batting .147 with six strikeouts and two walks in 36 plate appearances.
“I think the hitting will come—obviously he’s not going to hit .150 or whatever (all season)—but I still want him to develop as a catcher,” Gonzalez said.
Entering Thursday Pierzynski led Braves regulars in hitting (.422), slugging percentage (.689) and RBIs (14). Gonzalez said Pierzynski, 38, can continue as the primary catcher.
“He’s one of those guys who is not a prototypical backup catcher,” Gonzalez said. “This guy can crank up 100 games easy behind the plate and be productive. He’s strong as a bull. He puts the ball in play. To sit here and say I expected him to hit (.420)? No, I’d be lying to you.”
