Bethancourt followed in his father’s footsteps and started playing catcher at a young age…his father, Fausto, was a catcher in his employer’s recreational softball league...Bethancourt did not appear in the majors for four years from 2018-21 and began thinking about a future outside of baseball…he and his brother-in-law purchased a 17-acre farm in Panama, where they raised cattle with aspirations to become meat and dairy farmers...He played for Panama as a 12-year-old at the 2004 Little League World Series...Christian will play for Team Panama in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
2022
Appeared in 100 games and made 84 starts (47-C, 28-1B, 9-DH) between the Athletics and Rays… acquired on July 9 for two Minor Leaguers…after joining the active roster on July 11, started 40 of the final 77 games, making 35 starts at catcher, four at first base and one at DH over that span...Threw out 41.4 pct. (12 of 29) of attempted base stealers between the two clubs, including 45.0 pct. (nine of 20) after joining the Rays…min. 40 games, led the AL in eraser rate and ranked second in the majors behind PHI J.T. Realmuto (41.5 pct.)...All four HR with the Athletics came in eight games (six starts) from June 1-12…all seven HR with the Rays came at home, including six from Aug. 18–Sept. 25...Hit .314 (22-for-70) with 5 2B, three HR and eight RBI in his last 21 games (19 starts) from Sep. 2–Oct 4...On April 15 at TOR, entered as a defensive replacement at first base in the sixth inning…was his first game in the Majors since April 22, 2017 vs. MIA (with SD), going 1,818 days in between...From June 9-12 at CLE, hit .529 (9-for-17) with three 2B, three HR and five RBI in a four-game series, including homers in back-to-back games from June 11-12...On July 12 vs. BOS, caught Corey Kluber in his Rays debut and went 0-for-3…marked his first start at catcher since June 23 vs. SEA (with OAK)...On July 15 vs. BAL, his first homer as a Ray represented the second pinch-hit homer of his career, following May 20, 2016 vs. LAD (with SD)…the homer was originally ruled a foul ball and overturned on a crew chief review…according to Stats LLC, became the 10th player to hit his first homer with the Rays as a pinch-hitter, first since Brendan McKay on Sept. 22, 2019 vs. BOS… the homer went 318 feet, the shortest over-thefence homer at Tropicana Field (Rays or visitor) in the Statcast era (2015)…it had a launch angle of 44°, the highest on a Rays homer since Mike Zunino (48°) on June 29, 2021 at WSH...From Aug 18-23 vs. KC/LAA, homered in three consecutive games for the first time in his career…became the third catcher in franchise history to homer in three straight games, following Mike Zunino (five) from Aug. 11-17, 2021 and Wilson Ramos (three) from April 26-28, 2018...On Aug 23 vs. LAA, hit a solo homer in the seventh inning, two-run single in the same frame and pitched a scoreless ninth on 16 pitches (12 strikes), the eighth pitching app of his career…became the first Ray with 2 hits in the same frame since Austin Meadows in the sixth inning on July 29, 2021 vs. NYY and the first Ray with two run-scoring hits in the same frame since Evan Longoria in the fifth inning on June 25, 2008 at FLA…became the second position player in franchise history to pitch in a win, joining Jesús Sucre on July 3, 2018 at MIA…struck out Luis Rengifo on a 94.4 mph fastball and became the third position player in club history with a strikeout, following Mike Brosseau on Aug. 14, 2020 at TOR (Randal Grichuk) and Wade Boggs on Aug 10, 1999 vs. BAL (Delino DeShields)… marked the fastest pitch by a position player to result in a strikeout since LAD Drew Butera (94.9 mph) on May 14, 2014 vs. MIA (Marcell Ozuna)...On Aug 28 at BOS, pitched a scoreless ninth inning and became the first visiting position player to pitch in a ninth-inning win in Fenway Park history (since 1912)…joined BAL Chris Davis (2 IP) in a 9-6, 17-inning win on May 6, 2012 as the only visiting position players to pitch in a winning effort at Fenway Park, regardless of game length...On Sept. 2 vs. NYY, hit a two-run homer off Domingo Germán in the seventh inning and caught a 9-0 shutout on his birthday…marked the 1fifth time a Ray homered on his birthday, first since Brett Phillips on May 30, 2021 vs. PHI…was the second catcher in club history to homer on his birthday, joining Mike Difelice on May 28, 2000 vs. SEA…became the second Ray to homer against the Yankees on his birthday, joining Steven Souza Jr. (two) on April 24, 2016 in the Bronx…became the sixth player since Baseball Reference data is available (1901) to homer and catch a shutout on his birthday, joining ATL Biff Pocoroba on July 25, 1978 at PHI, OAK Dave Duncan on Sept. 26, 1971 vs. MIL, CHW Sherm Lollar on Aug. 23, 1959 vs. NYY (G2), PHI Andy Seminick on Sept. 12, 1950 vs. STL and CIN Casper Asbjornson on June 19, 1932 at the Boston Braves…was the third Panamanian-born player to homer on his birthday, joining CHW Carlos Lee on June 20, 2001 vs. KC and NYY Héctor López on July 8, 1962 at MIN...On Sept. 6 vs. BOS, was the front end of back-toback homers with Yu Chang in the 6th inning...On Sept. 18 vs. TEX, recorded his first three-hit game with the Rays, including a solo shot as the front end of back-to-back homers in the second inning...Played for the Estrellas de Oriente in the Dominican Winter League for a fourth consecutive year and hit .296/.347/.364 (13-for-44)...Started both games of the AL Wild Card Series at CLE at catcher and went 0-for-5 with three SO in his first career postseason.
2021
Was a non-roster invitee with Philadelphia but was released on March 28 and signed by Pittsburgh to a minor league contract on April 29…spent the entire season at Triple-A Indianapolis and batted .281 with 14 home runs and 60 RBI in 92 games...Walked 28 times, which were the most of his career (majors or minors)...Tied for ninth in the Pirates farm system in RBI...Hit .333 (28-for-84) with a .963 OPS against left-handed pitchers compared to .263 (65-for.247) with a .754 OPS against right-handers...His average improved slightly to .293 with runners in scoring position...Batted .327 at home, .238 on the road...Hit .410 with four home runs and 20 RBI in 16 day games...Had a .436 batting average and seven of his 14 home runs with two strikes...Started 27 games at catcher, 25 at first base, 18 at designated hitter and 12 in right field…also pitched twice…committed three errors as a first baseman (.986 fielding percentage), one as a catcher (.996) and one as a right fielder (.941)…tossed out 9-of-23 (39.1%) attempted base stealers...Was 2-for-5 (.400) with a home run, three RBI and a walk as a pinch hitter...Hit in every spot in the order but saw his most action with 52 games hitting clean-up...Played for Estrellas in the Dominican Winter League following the season and batted .208 with two home runs and 15 RBI in 34 games…also went 7-for-20 (.350) with a RBI in five games for Panama in the Caribbean Series.
2020
Was a non-roster invitee to ML spring training with the Phillies...Hit .267 (4-15) with three HR, five RBI and a 1.161 OPS in 10 spring training games.
2019
Played for NC Dinos in the Korean Baseball Organization...Slashed .246/.308/.404 in 53 games in the KBO...Following the season, played for Oriente in the Dominican Winter League.
2018
Was a non-roster invitee to MIL's spring training...Spent entire season with Colorado Springs (AAA)...Selected as a Pacific Coast League midseason and postseason All-Star...Named an Organization All-Star by MiLB.com...Was T-1st on Colorado Springs in HR...Caught 19 runners in 43 SB attempts (44.2%) over 74 games (71 starts) at catcher...Also appeared in eight games at 1st base...Following the season, played for Cibaenas in the DWL.
2017
Made SD's Opening Day roster...Spent most of the season with El Paso (AAA)...Did not catch during the regular season, as he converted to pitcher...Appeared in four games with SD as a pitcher...Went 3-2 with an 8.21 ERA (38 ER, 41.2 IP) in 34 games (1 start) for El Paso...Following the season, played for Cibaenas in the DWL.
2016
Made his second career Opening Day roster and set career-highs in nearly every category this season, including games played (73), runs (20), hits (44), doubles (nine), home runs (six), RBI (25) and walks (10). Appeared in 73 games in 2016 and made 44 starts total, including 35 at catcher, four in right field, three in left field and two as the designated hitter. Hit a solo home run in the Padres' 1-0 victory on 5/11 in the second game of a double-header against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field to hand the Cubs their first back-to-back losses of the season…became just the third Padre to ever hit a home run in a 1-0 game at Wrigley Field, joining John Vander Wal (6/1/99) and Russell Branyan (6/16/07). Made his Major League pitching debut, as well as his debut in the infield on 5/31 at Seattle, playing 0.1 innings at second base and pitching 0.2 innings, also playing 3.0 innings in left field and 4.0 innings behind the plate…per STATS, became just the fifth player (going back to data available since 1913) to appear at catcher, pitcher, in the outfield and in the infield, with the other four players having played all nine positions in their respective games, including: Shane Halter for Detroit on 10/1/00, Scott Sheldon for Texas on 9/6/00, Cesar Tovar for Minnesota on 9/22/68 and Bert Campaneris for the Kansas City Athletics on 9/6/85. In the pinch this season he hit .444 (4-9) with two RBI. Hit .260 (27-for-104) at Petco Park in 37 games compared to a .191 (17-for-89) average in 36 games on the road. Placed on the 15-day DL on 8/31 with a left intercostal strain and missed the final 31 games of the season.
2015
Made his first career Opening Day roster with the Braves, splitting the season between Atlanta and Triple-A Gwinnett....Over his first 29 games with Atlanta, after making his first career Opening Day roster, hit .198 (20-for-101) before being optioned to Gwinnett on 6/15.... Hit his first career Major League home run on 6/6 vs. PIT off of Vance Worley....Over 52 games for Gwinnett, hit .327 (66-for-202) with 19 doubles, four home runs, 31 RBI and 25 runs scored....Recalled for a second stint with Atlanta on 8/24, spending the remainder of the season with the Major League club and hitting .204 (11-for-54) over 19 games....Enjoyed a strong month ofAugust with Gwinnett, hitting .394 (28-for-71) with 11 extra-base hits and 18 RBI in 18 games....Entered the 2015 season ranked by Baseball America as the organization's fifth-best prospect…also tabbed by the publication in their "Best Tools" survey as the "Best Defensive Catcher" in the Braves system.
2014
Entered the 2015 season ranked by Baseball America as the organization's fifth-best prospect. Also tabbed by the publication in their "Best Tools" survey as the "Best Defensive Catcher" in the Braves system...Split time between the Major League club and Triple-A Gwinnett in his seventh professional campaign...Appeared in 31 games for the Braves over two separate stints, 6/28-7/21 and 9/2 through the remainder of the season. Batted .248 (28-for-113) with three doubles and nine RBI, while starting 29 of 31 contests...Batted .240 (12-for-50) with one double and three RBI in his first stint with ATL, 6/28-7/21, and .254 (16-for-63) with two doubles and six RBI in his second stint with the club, 9/2 through the end of the season...Threw out 3-of-13 (.231) would-be base stealers on the season with ATL. Those three caught stealing came in the last seven attempts on the season...Posted a .987 fielding percentage (three errors/234 total chances) over 260.1 defensive innings with ATL...Had a career-high three hits with ATL on two separate occasions, 7/5 vs. ARI and 9/3 vs. PHI...Hit in a season-high five consecutive games with ATL, 9/22-26: 375 (6-for-16) with a .412 on-base pct...Batted .409 (9-for-22) vs. left-handed pitchers, compared to .209 (19-for-91) vs. right-handers with ATL...Played in 91 games for GWI in his first season with the club, including 88 starts overall with 78 at catcher. Posted a .283 (97-for-343) batting average with nine extra-base hits and 48 RBI...Ranked ninth among Braves farmhands with a .408 slugging percentage...Ranked third on GWI in RBI (48) and was tied for third with eight home runs...Named to the MLB All-Star Futures Game World Team. Did not participate in the game as he was with ATL at the time of the game...Named by the Organization as the GWI Player of the Month for May after batting .271 (23-for-85) with eight extra-base hits, including five doubles, two home runs and 17 RBI...Opened the season with GWI and batted .273 (63-for-231) with 12 doubles, three home runs and 32 RBI in his first 63 games with the club prior to his first call up to majors on 6/28...In his second stint with GWI, 7/22-9/1, batted .304 (34-for-112) with five doubles, five home runs and 16 RBI over 28 games...Over his final 25 games with GWI, batted .317 (32-for-101) with 10 extra-base hits and 16 RBI. Posted a .375 (24-for-64) batting average with three doubles, three homers and 10 RBI over his last 16 contests...Over a 22-game span, 4/25-5/25, batted .301 (25-for-83) with nine extra-base hits and 17 RBI...Batted .304 (34-for-112) in 34 games post-International League All-Star break, compared to .273 (63-for-231) over 63 contests before the break...Entered the 2014 season as the Braves No. 2 prospect according to Baseball America.
2013
Spent the 2013 season with the Double-A Mississippi Braves, batting .277 (99-for-358) with 12 home runs and 45 Rbi in 90 games, including 84 starts at catcher. Made his first appearance on a Major League roster after being recalled from the Mississippi Braves on 9/9. His Major League debut came as a pinch-hitter (0-for-1, K) on 9/29 vs. PHI. Established a Mississippi Braves record by reaching base safely via hit (35) or walk (five) over a 40-game span, from 6/13-8/14. Batted .338 (54-for-160) to raise his batting average 88 points from .250 to .338 during the 40-game stretch. Ranked fifth among Braves farmhands with a .436 slugging percentage and his 12 home runs were tied for sixth. Started at catcher in three of the four M-Braves first-round postseason games and hit .385 (5-for-13) with a .429 on-base percentage and three runs scored. Named to the 15th annual SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game World Roster for the second consecutive season. He entered the game in the sixth inning at catcher and went 0-for-1 at the plate. Selected as a Southern League Mid-Season and Post-Season All-Star. Set a career high and tied for the M-Braves team lead with 12 home runs. Over his final 39 games of the season with Mississippi, from 7/6 on, batted .307 (50-for-163) with eight homers and 24 RBI. In that span, he reached base in 35 of 39 contests, including a 24-of-25 game stretch, from 7/6 to 8/14, in which he recorded at least one hit. Posted a 16-game hitting streak, 7/27-8/14. Batted .377 (26-for-69) with five doubles, three homers and 10 RBI in that span. Batted .305 (57-for-187) with 11 doubles, four home runs and 24 RBI in 48 games played at Trustmark Park compared to .246 (42-for-171) with 10 doubles, eight home runs and 21 RBI in 42 road games. Played in 16 games for Tigres del Licey of the Dominican Winter League and batted .226 (12-for-53) with three doubles, a home run and four RBI. Entered the season ranked as the third-best prospect and the "Best Defensive Catcher" in the Atlanta Braves system according to Baseball America.
2012
Enters 2013 as the third-best prospect in the Braves system as rated by Baseball America. Batted .268 (38-for-142) at home with 18 RBI compared to .214 (27-for-126) and eight RBI on the road. With RISP and two outs, batted .361 (13-for-36) with one triple, one home run and 13 RBI. Of his 71 games played, made 69 starts at catcher while with Mississippi (AA). Named to the mid-season Southern League All-Star team after batting .255 (37-for-145) with 11 RBI, 20 runs scored and five stolen bases in the season's first half. Selected to play in the 2012 Futures Game in Kansas City, getting the start at catcher for the World team. He went 0-3 at the plate, but threw out the lone Team USA base runner attempting to steal. Batted .224 (13-for-58) with three doubles and three RBI in 23 games at catcher for Tigers del Licey of the Dominican Winter League.
2011
Enters the 2012 season as the eighth-best prospect in the Braves farm system, rated by Baseball America...Split time between Class A Rome and High-A Lynchburg, batting .289 (112-for-387) with 16 doubles and 53 RBI in 99 games between the two stops...Opened the season with Rome (A) and batted .303 (67-for-221) in 54 games before a mid-season promotion to Lynchburg (A) on 6/23. Played in 45 games for Lynchburg, batting .271 (45-for-166)...Posted an 11-game hitting streak 5/14-28: .400 (18-for-45) including six multi-hit games in that span...Had 22 multi-hit games with Rome. Strung together five consecutive two-hit games, 6/5-11. Posted 16 multi-hit efforts with Lynchburg...Batted a combined .314 (92-for-293) vs. right-handed pitchers compared to .213 (20-for-94) vs. lefties...His .289 combined batting average ranked ninth among Braves minor leaguers...In 50 games at catcher, hit .324 (66-for-204) for Rome...Best month offensively came in June when he hit .356 (31-for-87) with eight doubles and nine RBI in 21 games between Rome and Lynchburg...Drove in a season high four runs on 5/25 at LEX. Collected a season high three hits on seven occasions...Batted .306 (22-for-72) with three doubles, five homers and 13 RBI in 19 games at catcher for the Surprise Saguaros of the Arizona Fall League.
2010
Enters 2011 rated by Baseball America as the Braves 12th-best prospect and the 14th-best in the South Atlantic League...Spent his first full season at Single-A Rome batting .251 with 19 doubles and 34 RBI in career- and team-high 108 contests...His 100 hits led the Rome Club and he was tied for third in RBI with 34...Had his best month in June when he hit .305 with four doubles and nine RBI in 17 games...Batted .238 while playing 79 games at catcher and hit .290 in 28 games as the designated hitter...Had a season-high four hits and collected two RBI on 4/11 at Kannapolis.
2009
Entered the season as Baseball America's sixth-ranked Braves prospect and the top prospect in the Gulf Coast League...Claimed organizational GCL MVP honors...Batted .277 with four home runs and 27 RBI in 46 games between GCL and Danville (R)...Also honored by the Braves as the GCL July Player of the Month (.329-1-12).
2008
Following the season was rated by Baseball America as the 30th-best prospect in the Braves farm system.
