Sunday, June 16, 2024

Jose Bethancourt made guys swing, saw two pro seasons

Jose Bethancourt 1990 Elizabethton Twins card

Used primarily as a middle-man to that point, Elizabethton Twin hurler Jose Bethancourt stepped in to start this July 1990 game and he pitched well, The Elizabethton Star wrote.

Bethancourt went 5.1 innings of the seven-inning contest and gave up three runs, all on a sixth-inning home run, The Star wrote.

"He gave up the home run, I think he was getting a little burned out," Elizabethton manager Ray Smith told The Star of Bethancourt. "But I'd rather see him make guys swing at the ball and throw strikes."

Bethancourt had that outing in his second season as a pro. That season also marked his last in the minors, though he continued to pitch in his native Venezuela.

Bethancourt's career began in 1989, signed by the Twins out of Venezuela.

He started with the Twins in the rookie Gulf Coast League. He saw 15 games, 12 starts. He ended with a 3.82 ERA.

Bethancourt moved to rookie Elizabethton for 1990. In one July relief outing, Bethancourt saw three innings, giving up a hit in each. He went seven innings in an August contest, giving up three hits.

Overall, Bethancourt saw 13 outings, four starts with Elizabethton. He went 4-2, with two saves to end his Twins career.

Along the way, Bethancourt continued to play at home in Venezuela, for Tigres de Aragua. He first played there for 1989-1990, four games. He returned for 1991-1992, for 17 games. He then played 1992-1993 and is last recorded as playing there in 1993-1994.

Jose Bethancourt 1990 Elizabethton Twins card


1990 Minor League Tally 
Players/Coaches Featured:4,383
Made the Majors:1,413-32.2
Never Made Majors:2,970-67.8%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors:575
10+ Seasons in the Minors:354

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