The Blue Jays introduced Wednesday that they’ve signed catcher Christian Bethancourt and left-hander Richard Lovelady to minor league contracts. Each gamers have been invited to main league camp throughout spring coaching.
Bethancourt, 33, had a good displaying on the plate as just lately as 2022, when he slashed .252/.283/.409 (99 wRC+) with 11 homers in 101 video games between the A’s and Rays. His bat has tanked since that point, with a mixed .220/.250/.377 between Tampa Bay, Miami and Chicago (Cubs).
As soon as one of many sport’s top-100 prospects, Bethancourt has by no means actually discovered his footing as a giant league common. He moved on from catching completely at one level, trying to reinvent himself as a reliever, however he’s now spent a number of years again behind the plate. He’s a lifetime .229/.259/.367 hitter within the large leagues.
Whereas that offense (or lack thereof) leaves lots to be desired, Bethancourt has managed the operating sport fairly properly due to a rocket arm that acquired 80 grades (on the 20-80 scale) throughout his prospect days. As the typical caught-stealing fee has dropped to only 20.3% leaguewide following tweaks to the dimensions of the bases and limits on pickoff makes an attempt, Bethancourt has excelled. He thwarted 30% of stolen base makes an attempt towards him final yr. Relationship again to 2022, Bethancourt boasts a gaudy 29.9% caught-stealing fee. Over the previous 4 seasons, solely J.T. Realmuto, Patrick Bailey and Gabriel Moreno have contributed extra worth with their throwing, amongst catchers, per Statcast.
Bethancourt received’t be within the combine for the beginning job in Toronto. That belongs to Alejandro Kirk. However the Jays’ solely different catcher on the 40-man roster proper now could be journeyman Tyler Heineman, who has a .212/.298/.273 slash in 299 profession plate appearances within the majors. Bethancourt may very properly be within the combine for that spot, although time will inform if the Jays usher in a extra established veteran to solidify that vital function. Because it stands, an damage to Kirk would go away Toronto with Heineman and considered one of Bethancourt or fellow non-roster invitee Ali Sanchez as supervisor John Schneider’s prime choices behind the dish.
Lovelady, 29, break up the 2024 season between the Cubs and Rays, battling the previous however pitching fairly properly for the latter. The southpaw gave Tampa Bay 28 2/3 innings of three.77 ERA ball, albeit with a sub-par 16.8% strikeout fee. Lovelady’s 7.6% stroll fee and 53.5% ground-ball fee have been each robust marks, nonetheless, and the lefty has lengthy proven an fascinating mix of missed bats and grounders to associate with stable command.
Even with a good displaying for Tampa Bay, Lovelady was lower free in November. The Rays designated him for project to open roster house for outfielder Jake Mangum, whom they needed to guard from the Rule 5 Draft. Lovelady was non-tendered reasonably than traded or positioned on waivers, instantly making him a free agent.
In 99 1/3 large league innings, Lovelady has a 21.1% strikeout fee, 8.4% stroll fee and 50.9% grounder fee. He’s nonetheless been tagged for a 4.98 earned run common, thanks largely to a 66% strand fee, however metrics like xFIP (4.27) and SIERA (4.02) have been extra bullish than ERA. He’ll now attempt to catch on in Toronto, the place the one lefty relievers on the 40-man roster are the inexperienced trio of Brendon Little, Easton Lucas and Josh Walker. Prospect Adam Macko additionally throws left-handed, however the Jays hope his future is within the rotation.
