bethancourt gets the call

Fresh off an impressive campaign for the Double-A Mississippi Braves, Christian Bethancourt, who might be Atlanta’s starting catcher next season, has been summoned to the big leagues for the first time. Bethancourt hit .271 with 12 home runs this season after batting just .243 with little power for the M-Braves in 2012. A highly rated prospect for several years, Bethancourt is considered an outstanding defensive catcher. He threw out roughly a third of runners who attempted to steal on him this season but had double-figure totals for errors and passed balls. Bethancourt and former M-Braves star Evan Gattis might vie for Atlanta’s catching job next spring if Brian McCann departs as a free agent. Of course, the Braves really ought to consider re-signing McCann (see previous post). Bethancourt will be the 80th M-Braves alumnus to reach the majors when he makes his debut; McCann was the first, back in 2005.