Chris Betts

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Tampa Bay Rays #26 prospect in 2017
  Seen as one of the best offensive prospects in the 2015 draft class, Betts slid to the second round due to concerns about his long-term profile. The Rays, who remain aggressive drafting high school catchers (Justin O'Connor, Nick Ciuffo and Betts in the last six drafts) despite the risky history of the demographic, signed him for $1,482,500. He needed Tommy John surgery after the draft and couldn't begin swinging a bat until after Jan. 1. Betts's debut performance in 2016 didn't live up to his pre-draft hype, but the physical tools remain in place for him to bounce back. He is a lefthanded hitter with plus bat speed and line-drive oriented swing. Scouts note his plus raw power in batting practice, even though he did not hit a home run in his professional debut. Betts has made progress defensively, becoming lighter on his feet and gaining mobility with his improved conditioning. His arm strength has come back fine, and the Rays don't expect him to suffer long-term effects. Betts remains a high-ceiling prospect with his middle-of-the-diamond position and power potential. He appears likely to spend 2017 at another short-season affiliate.
• 
  Ranked Tampa Bay Rays #15 prospect in 2016
  As the 2014 summer unfolded, Betts endeared himself to teams with his advanced lefthanded bat and power potential. His stocky build and some bad weight on his frame led to questions about his ability to remain behind the plate, but in the spring, Betts showed the industry how committed to catching he was by shedding fat and adding muscle to his frame. He showed sound footwork behind the plate and plus raw arm strength when he caught, though the length of his transfer resulted in just average pop times on throws to second base, and arm soreness prompted him to DH much of the spring. The Rays took him 52nd overall anyway and signed him for $1,482,500, more than $300,000 above slot, but he didn't make his pro debut because he needed Tommy John surgery in July. Offensively, Betts has a calm lefthanded stroke, with little pre-pitch theatrics and a smooth, downhill bat path that's geared for line drives. Betts uses his lower half well, and he has a chance to develop plus power as he matures. The Rays expect him to be healthy enough to swing the bat without limitations by the beginning of 2016 spring training. Betts probably will make his professional debut at one of the Rays' short-season affiliates.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #28 prospect in 2015 draft
  Long Beach's Wilson High has produced four first-round picks, from Bobby Grich (1967) and the Burroughs (Jeff, 1974, and Sean, 1998) to Aaron Hicks (Twins, 2008). Betts will endeavor to make it five and has had a good spring, building on his preseason first-team All-America nod from major league scouting directors. A Tennessee signee, Betts has cleaned up his 6-foot-2, 215-pound frame, maintaining physicality but adding muscle and cleaning up a body that had been trending in the wrong direction. He features good size for a catcher, improving receiving ability after an offseason spent working out with Twins catcher Kurt Suzuki, and plus raw arm strength. Betts' long transfer has hindered his arm from playing to that level, and while he's improved it, his pop times are usually in the 1.95-2.0 seconds range at his best. Betts has strength in his swing and easy, plus lefthanded raw power. He may hit enough for the bat to play at first base if catching doesn't work out, but he has intangibles and arm strength to catch and has star potential if he can stay at the position.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked New York-Penn League #14 prospect in 2018
  Betts had an impressive offensive season and showed off his defensive skills as well for Hudson Valley. But even more importantly, he stayed healthy. Betts has had a rough introduction to pro ball. In 2016, Betts hit a paltry .179/.345/.250 between the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League and his first appearance in the New York-Penn League. The following season he had Tommy John surgery, which sidelined him for nearly all of 2017. Although he missed some time in 2018 after suffering a concussion, this year was a breakout campaign for Betts, as he posted nine home runs and 36 RBIs in 56 games. The backstop features an average arm, as well as good footwork behind the dish. Scouts have noticed that he likes to take charge and routinely catches runners napping on the bases. Betts' hit tool is average, and he has the potential for 15-plus home run power as well. "I like him as a six-hole type hitter," one scout said. "At catcher, he needs a to work a bit on blocking." Rays personnel are pleased with his developing power and give him high praise for the way he handles a pitching staff and controls the running game.

• December, 2014 Scouting Report
  Long Beach's Wilson High has produced four first-round picks, from Bobby Grich (1967) and the Burroughs (Jeff, 1974, and Sean, 1998) to Aaron Hicks (Twins, 2008). Betts will endeavor to make it five and has had a good spring, building on his preseason first-team All-America nod from major league scouting directors. A Tennessee signee, Betts has cleaned up his 6-foot-2, 215-pound frame, maintaining physicality but adding muscle and cleaning up a body that had been trending in the wrong direction. He features good size for a catcher, improving receiving ability after an offseason spent working out with Twins catcher Kurt Suzuki, and plus raw arm strength. Betts' long transfer has hindered his arm from playing to that level, and while he's improved it, his pop times are usually in the 1.95-2.0 seconds range at his best. Betts has strength in his swing and easy, plus lefthanded raw power. He may hit enough for the bat to play at first base if catching doesn't work out, but he has intangibles and arm strength to catch and has star potential if he can stay at the position.