Bethancourt was born and raised in Panama City, Panama where he began playing baseball at the age of five. As a third baseman, Bethancourt had a tendency to abandon his position in favor of wherever the ball was hit. His parents convinced him to move behind the plate, saying that if Bethancourt left his position as a catcher during a game, his team would lose, as the other team would find it easy to score.[1]
Career
Minor leagues
Bethancourt was signed as a non-drafted international free agent and began his minor league career at the age of 16 in 2008.[2] He was named the seventh-most-promising catching prospect in baseball by MLB.com prior to the 2012 season.[3]
Bethancourt again played for Mississippi in 2013 and made his second All Star Futures Game roster.[4] Following the end of the minor league season, he was promoted and joined the Atlanta Braves on September 9, 2013.[8][9] Bethancourt made his major league debut against the Philadelphia Phillies on September 29, 2013. He struck out in his only at bat.[10]
Atlanta Braves
In 2014, Bethancourt began the year with the Gwinnett Braves of the Class AAAInternational League, and made his third consecutive All Star Futures Game on June 24.[4] He was promoted to the major leagues when Evan Gattis went on the disabled list on June 28.[11] He recorded his first major league RBI on July 1, against Daisuke Matsuzaka.[12] Bethancourt batted .240 with the Braves in 13 games, and was demoted to the minor leagues on July 21, when Gattis was activated from the disabled list.[13] He was to be promoted back to the Braves on September 2.[14][15]
In spring training in 2015, the Braves said Bethancourt would have to be assessed before he would be given the position of primary catcher.[16] On June 6, Bethancourt hit his first career home run in the bottom of the ninth inning, off of Vance Worley, to give the Braves a 5–4 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates.[17] Bethancourt appeared in 29 games for the Braves in early 2015, batting .208/.231/.297 with a .528 OPS and six passed balls, before being sent to back down to AAA Gwinnett on June 15 after he made a series of defensive mistakes and failed to hit.[18][19] At the time, according to ESPN Stats he was ranked 66th out of 82 qualifiers in catcher's ERA (4.50).[16] He also was ranked third among National League catchers in most passed balls and tied for fourth in errors (3) while playing in only 29 games.[16] He was recalled on August 24.[20] On October 5, Bethancourt underwent knee surgery for a torn meniscus.[21][22]
San Diego Padres
On December 10, 2015, Bethancourt was traded to the San Diego Padres for right hander Casey Kelly and Ricardo Rodriguez.[23] After spring training ended in April 2016, Bethancourt was named the backup to starting catcher Derek Norris.[24] Bethancourt made his first career pitching appearance on May 31, a blowout loss against the Seattle Mariners, recording two outs, two walks, and a hit batsmen.[25] He took the mound again on June 14, against the Miami Marlins, picking up his first strikeout as a pitcher, while yielding one hit and one walk in one inning.[26] At the end of the season, Bethancourt returned to his home country to play in the Panamanian Professional Baseball League, where he saw playing time as a pitcher and position player.[27]
On April 1, 2017, the Padres announced that Bethancourt would work primarily as a reliever, while also seeing duties as a catcher, outfielder, and pinch hitter.[28] Bethancourt struggled in four relief appearances, and the Padres outrighted him off of their 40-man roster to the El Paso Chihuahuas of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League, where he continued pitching.[29] He elected free agency on November 6, 2017.[30]
On December 12, 2018, Bethancourt signed a one-year, $1 million deal with the NC Dinos of the KBO League.[35] He was waived on July 3, 2019.[36]
Philadelphia Phillies
On January 7, 2020, Bethancourt signed a minor league deal with the Philadelphia Phillies.[37][38] He became a free agent during the offseason, then re-signed with the Phillies on a minor league contract.[39][40] Bethancourt joined the Phillies' minor league camp during spring training.[41] On March 28, 2021, the Phillies released him.[42]
Pittsburgh Pirates
On May 1, 2021, Bethancourt signed a minor league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates organization.[43]
Oakland Athletics
On December 3, 2021, Bethancourt signed a minor league deal with the Oakland Athletics. On April 15, 2022, Bethancourt was added to the Athletics roster for their road trip to Toronto as a COVID-related substitute.[44] He played three innings at first base. It was the first time Bethancourt had appeared in a Major League Baseball game since the 2017 season.[45]
Tampa Bay Rays
On July 9, 2022, the Athletics traded Bethancourt to the Rays in exchange for Cal Stevenson and Christian Fernandez.[46] On August 23, Bethancourt drove in three runs, including a home run, and pitched a scoreless top of the ninth inning in an 11-1 blowout of the Los Angeles Angels. Bethancourt topped out at 95 mph while giving up two hits and striking out one to close out the game.[47][48]
In 2023, Bethancourt played in a career–high 104 games for Tampa Bay, hitting .225/.254/.381 with 11 home runs and 33 RBI. On November 4, 2023, Bethancourt was placed on outright waivers by the Rays.[49]
Miami Marlins
On November 6, 2023, Bethancourt was claimed off waivers by the Cleveland Guardians.[50] On December 10, Bethancourt was traded to the Miami Marlins in exchange for cash considerations.[51][52]
