Christian Bethancourt

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Atlanta Braves #3 prospect in 2015
  Bethancourt saw his first extended activity in the big leagues in 2014 after being hailed as the organization's catcher of the future for the past six seasons. The Panama native initially gained attention as a 12-year-old in the 2004 Little League World Series and signed with the Braves four years later for $600,000. He was called up in June and again in September, when he served as everyday catcher. Scouts have long raved about Bethancourt's tools behind the plate. He has plus arm strength with a quick release and outstanding carry and accuracy on his throws. He threw out 36 percent of basestealers at Triple-A Gwinnett. A good athlete with quick feet, he moves well but has a tendency to lose his focus by backhanding balls in the dirt, and he had 16 passed balls in 2014, including six in his short big league stint. Bethancourt's swing is quick and generates good bat speed with the ability to drive the ball. He is aggressive at the plate, struggles with strikezone discipline and tends to swing early in the count instead of waiting for a pitch he can drive. He does make consistent contact, however, and he runs well on the basepaths. The Braves saw enough of Bethancourt in Atlanta last year to feel comfortable with him handling the catching responsibilities in 2015. His lack of plate discipline may hinder him at the plate, so he will need to excel defensively to win a majority share at the position.
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  Ranked Atlanta Braves #2 prospect in 2014
  Bethancourt starred for Panama in the 2004 Little League World Series as a 12-year-old, and the Braves signed him for $600,000 four years later. He had his best all-around season in 2013, hitting a career-best 12 home runs and making his major league debut. Bethancourt has everything scouts want in a defensive-oriented receiver. His plus arm strength stands out most, paired with a quick release and excellent accuracy and carry on his throws. He has impressive quickness behind the plate with nimble feet. His rapport with pitchers has improved considerably as he has become more fluent in English. He can get lackadaisical at times, particularly in his willingness to block balls in the dirt, leading to 12 passed balls and 13 errors last season. While he rarely walks, Bethancourt has good hand-eye coordination, solid-average power and puts the ball in play despite his tendency to swing at breaking balls outside the zone. The Braves envisioned Bethancourt as their long-term answer behind the plate almost as soon as they signed him, and now they appear to be on the verge of turning over the keys following Brian McCann's departure in free agency. Even with Gerald Laird and Evan Gattis expected back, he should have the opportunity to work his way into the starting lineup and could be the full-time receiver by the second half.
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  Ranked Atlanta Braves #3 prospect in 2013
  Highly touted since starring for Panama in the 2004 Little League World Series, Bethancourt signed for $600,000 four years later. He rode his defense to a berth in the Futures Game in 2012, but he had his worst offensive performance as a pro and played in just 71 games because of a strained hamstring and broken hand. Bethancourt is a premier athlete behind the plate, with soft hands and one of the strongest arms among minor league catchers. He threw out 39 percent of basestealers last season. He moves well and does a good job of blocking pitches in the dirt, though he tends to get lazy and backhand balls on occasion. He has improved his game-calling ability and the way he works with pitchers. Bethancourt's bat lags considerably behind his defense, and he has hit just .253/.276/.304 above low Class A. His approach needs a lot of work, as he chases too many pitches far outside the strike zone and can't handle sharp breaking balls. He has raw power but doesn't tap into it because he has a flat swing. He runs well for a catcher. With Brian McCann recovering from offseason shoulder surgery, Bethancourt could make his major league debut in April. He'll likely spend most of 2013 in Triple-A after joining the 40-man roster in November.
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  Ranked Atlanta Braves #8 prospect in 2012
  Scouts have been enthralled with Bethancourt's potential since he played in the 2004 Little League World Series for Panama. Four years later, he signed with Atlanta for $600,000. His lack of maturity and consistency has been frustrating at times, but he's a rare catching prospect with all-around potential. No one questions Bethancourt's raw tools. He has soft hands, plus arm strength and a quick release that helped him throw out 38 percent of basestealers in 2011. He also possesses good hand-eye coordination, makes consitent contact and shows solid raw power. He also runs well for a catcher. However, several scouts question Bethancourt's approach at the plate and behind it. He's a free swinger who rarely walks and wastes too many at-bats. Defensively, he often picks at pitches in the dirt instead of shifting his body. His body language and lack of fire at times also leave a lot to be desired. Bethancourt is still just 20, so he has time to develop. The Braves challenged him to show improvement in 2011 and he responded impressively. If he continues to work hard and hone his skills, he can become a big league starter and perhaps an all-star. He should spend the majority of 2012 in Double-A.
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  Ranked Atlanta Braves #12 prospect in 2011
  There's no doubt that Bethancourt has tools, but scouts are split on whether he'll be able to put them to use and become a major league catcher. He has everything a young catcher could want, including soft hands, a quick release and plus arm strength. His pop times average close to 1.8 seconds and he threw out 39 percent of basestealers last year. He also has an ideal frame and good athleticism behind the plate. He sets up high, and while he has good lateral movement, he needs to do a better job of blocking balls in the dirt. A free swinger, Bethancourt is a streaky hitter who needs to improve his command of the strike zone. He's capable of driving the ball and could develop at least average power as his body continues to mature. He's a below-average runner but not bad for a catcher. For all his physical ability, Bethancourt has plenty of questions to answer about his his approach to the game. He shows bad body language and a questionable work ethic. Scouts have concerns about his lack of energy behind the plate. Some say he doesn't give his pitchers enough support when they get into jams. Bethancourt will play the entire 2011 season at age 19, so there's plenty of time for him to grow up. He has the ability to become a special player once he matures. The next step in his development will come in high Class A.
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  Ranked Atlanta Braves #6 prospect in 2010
  Bethancourt starred for Panama at the 2004 Little League World Series, and four years later he signed with the Braves for $600,000 as the top catching talent on the international market. In his U.S. debut last season, he ranked as the No. 1 prospect in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League and helped Danville win the Appalachian League title. Bethancourt stands out with his skills and presence behind the plate. He has soft hands, plus-plus arm strength and a quick release. His pop times to second have registered as low as 1.78 seconds, and he threw out 30 percent of basestealers in 2009. He swings the bat well with a short stroke and is expected to hit for some power as his body matures and he gains experience. While the raw abilities are obvious, Bethancourt is somewhat rough on the finer aspects of catching. He can improve his lateral movement and ability to block balls in the dirt. He's a free swinger who needs to gain better command of the strike zone. He's athletic for a catcher but a below-average runner. With his ideal frame and leadership abilities, Bethancourt could develop into a special player. At 18, he'll be one of the younger players in the low Class A South Atlantic League in 2010.
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  Ranked Atlanta Braves #30 prospect in 2009
  The Braves' increased efforts in Latin America continued with the signing of Bethancourt for $600,000 last March. Deemed the top catching prospect from the international ranks last year, he initially appeared on the radar when he played for Panama at the 2004 Little League World Series. He showed some bat speed and a decent feel for the strike zone as a 16-year-old in the Dominican Summer League, but the overall lack of strength in his swing shows his need for added development. While he doesn't have a big league body at this point, his potential behind the plate is obvious. A quality athlete for a catcher, he has a plus arm with true carry on his throws. He erased 43 percent of basestealers in his debut. He also has soft, quick hands and agility behind the plate. He'll be only 17 this season, so he'll probably make his U.S. debut in the Gulf Coast League.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked International League #10 prospect in 2014
  One of the IL's younger regulars, Bethancourt is big league-ready after catching more than 450 games (234 in the high minors) in a seven-year pro career. He has all the ingredients necessary to become a first-division starter. Bethancout doesn't have traditional power for the catcher position, but he does have a quick, athletic swing and the ability to make contact in any count. He can pull the ball for power, but his swing-first approach tends to result in lots of groundballs and hits to right field. He runs well for a catcher. Bethancourt improved his fundamental defensive play in 2014, reducing his rate of passed balls and errors with Gwinnett, while throwing out 36 percent of basestealers. He draws plus grades for his arm but must improve the quality of his receiving and pitch-framing. His English has improved and will help him build rapport with pitchers.
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  Ranked Southern League #8 prospect in 2013
  Atlanta has viewed Bethancourt as its catcher of the future since signing him for $600,000 as a 16-year-old in March 2008. Patience is a virtue when it comes to developing international prospects, and now five years later the Braves can see light at the end of the tunnel. That?s because Bethancourt improved every facet of his offensive game as he repeated the SL, while continuing to brandish some of the most eye-catching defensive tools in the minors. Bethancourt?s arm grades out as an easy 70 on the scouting scale, and he gets rid of the ball in a hurry. In 154 games behind the plate this year and last, he thwarted 34 percent of 148 stolen-base attempts. A plus athlete who runs well for a catcher, Bethancourt blocks well and moves side-to-side with the agility of a cat. He turned off some scouts, however, with at times lackadaisical receiving, an observation borne out by a league-leading 12 errors and 13 passed balls (which ranked second to Jackson?s John Hicks). Bethancourt?s offensive growth is best epitomized by a Mississippi franchise-record 40-game on-base streak he recorded from June 13-Aug. 14, during which time he posted a .976 OPS. ?I?ve seen him grow as a hitter through the years,? Barkett said. ?He?s learning that he can?t swing at everything, and that getting in a good position to hit is most important.? Those who like Bethancourt see a .275 hitter with a low walk rate and enough pop to go deep 12-15 times a year.
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  Ranked Southern League #18 prospect in 2012
  Bethancourt's strong throwing arm may be the best among minor league catchers. He regularly posts pop times around 1.8 seconds and he threw out 39 percent of SL basestealers. A broken hand in early August ended his season and prevented a showdown between him and Hamilton. Bethancourt moves well behind the plate and is a good receiver, but he's going to have to improve offensively to become Brian McCann's heir apparent in Atlanta. Bethancourt chases too many pitches and often gets himself out. When he does make contact, it produces mostly soft line drives because he lacks strength and loft in his swing.
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  Ranked Carolina League #10 prospect in 2011
  When scouts see a 19-year-old with a strong arm, some mobility behind the plate and the potential to hit, they're going to get excited--even if their enthusiasm is based on a whole lot of projection. Bethancourt threw out 47 percent of CL basestealers, and while his numbers at Lynchburg might not show it, he has at least average raw power. He even runs well for a catcher. Bethancourt also has some significant flaws, too, though they can be somewhat explained by his youth. He has good hand-eye coordination but won't be more than a bottom-of-the-order hitter if he can't overcome his aversion to taking walks. He also has to improve his receiving, because he tends to pick at too many balls in the dirt instead of sliding over to block them.
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  Ranked Arizona Fall League #9 prospect in 2011
  Bethancourt, a native of Panama who turned 20 just before the Fall League season, showed his enormous potential while playing for the AFL West division champion Surprise Saguaros. The righthanded hitting catcher batted .306/.324/.556 with five homers. His swing can get long at times and he seldom walks, but he's got plus raw power, drawing a comparison to former Braves catcher Javy Lopez. Scouts liked Bethancourt's arm behind the plate and believe he'll continue to get stronger. He's athletic and loose but still has room for improvement in his catching skills.
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  Ranked South Atlantic League #14 prospect in 2010
  The mention of Bethancourt's name generated comments from one extreme to the other in the SAL. One manager said he would pay just to watch Bethancourt catch and throw, and he erased 39 percent of basestealers while showing soft hands and good agility behind the plate. But others thought he was an overrated defender who set up too high and relied too much on his plus-plus arm strength, and some believed he lacked the fire and leadership desired in a major league catcher. Bethancourt didn't turn 19 until the end of the season, so he still has plenty of time to address his flaws. Offensively, he has a short stroke but needs to show more patient. Though he showed only minimal power, he should be able to drive balls more consistently as his body matures. "He grew up during the last month of the season," Ingle said. "He showed a lot of improvement in his work habits and his maturity, and those things transferred to the field. He has all the tools you'd ever want to see for a guy behind the plate, and he needs to continue to do the day-to-day things to get the most out of his talent."
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  Ranked Florida Complex League #1 prospect in 2009
  Four years after Bethancourt starred for Panama in the 2004 Little League World Series, he signed for $600,000. He played well offensively and defensively in the GCL, then performed just as well after a promotion to the Rookie-advanced Appalachian League, where he helped Danville win the championship. Bethancourt is a bit of a free swinger, but he has a short stroke and looks like he'll develop some power. He's starting to add strength, adding 15 pounds in the last year to now carry 175 on his 6-foot-2 frame. He's athletic for a catcher but not an asset on the basepaths. He has good hands and a plus arm behind the plate, though his receiving needs some polishing. Bethancourt caught only 27 percent of basestealers, but the blame lies mostly with the GCL Braves' pitchers, because he consistently displays 1.8 pop times on throws to second.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #69 prospect in 2014

• December, 2012 Scouting Report
  Background: Highly touted since starring for Panama in the 2004 Little League World Series, Bethancourt signed for $600,000 four years later. He rode his defense to a berth in the Futures Game in 2012, but he had his worst offensive performance as a pro and played in just 71 games because of a strained hamstring and broken hand. Scouting Report: Bethancourt is a premier athlete behind the plate, with soft hands and one of the strongest arms among minor league catchers. He threw out 39 percent of basestealers last season. He moves well and does a good job of blocking pitches in the dirt, though he tends to get lazy and backhand balls on occasion. He has improved his game-calling ability and the way he works with pitchers. Bethancourt's bat lags considerably behind his defense, and he has hit just .253/.276/.304 above low Class A. His approach needs a lot of work, as he chases too many pitches far outside the strike zone and can't handle sharp breaking balls. He has raw power but doesn't tap into it because he has a flat swing. He runs well for a catcher. The Future: With Brian McCann recovering from offseason shoulder surgery, Bethancourt could make his major league debut in April. He'll likely spent most of 2013 in Triple-A after joining the 40-man roster in November.
• December, 2011 Scouting Report
  Background:: Scouts have been enthralled with Bethancourt's potential since he played in the 2004 Little League World Series for Panama. Four years later, he signed with Atlanta for $600,000. He can frustrate the organization at times with his lack of maturity and consistency, but he's a rare catching prospect with all-around potential. Scouting Report: No one questions Bethancourt's raw tools. He has soft hands, plus arm strength and a quick release that helped him throw out 38 percent of basestealers in 2011. He also possesses good hand-eye coordination, makes consistent contact and shows solid raw power. He also runs well for a catcher. However, several scouts question Bethancourt's approach at the plate and behind it. He's a free swinger who rarely walks and wastes too many at-bats. Defensively, he often picks at pitches in the dirt instead of shifting his body. His body language and lack of fire at times also leave a lot to be desired. The Future: Bethancourt is still just 20, so he has time to develop. The Braves challenged him to show improvement in 2011 and he responded impressively. If he continues to work hard and hone his skills, he can become a big league starter and perhaps an all-star. He should spend the majority of 2012 in Double-A.
• August, 2011 Scouting Report
  Bethancourt, a native of Panama who turned 20 just before the Fall League season, showed his enormous potential while playing for the AFL West division champion Surprise Saguaros. The righthanded hitting catcher batted .306/.324/.556 with five homers. His swing can get long at times and he seldom walks, but he's got plus raw power, drawing a comparison to former Braves catcher Javy Lopez. Scouts liked Bethancourt's arm behind the plate and believe he'll continue to get stronger. He's athletic and loose but still has room for improvement in his catching skills.