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Tampa Bay Rays: Christian Bethancourt has Ohtani moment

By David Hill

Aug 23, 2022; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Rays catcher Christian Bethancourt (14) throws a pitch against the Los Angeles Angels in the ninth inning at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 23, 2022; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Rays catcher Christian Bethancourt (14) throws a pitch against the Los Angeles Angels in the ninth inning at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports /
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Shohei Ohtani is the most unique player in baseball. However, for at least one day, Tampa Bay Rays catcher Christian Bethancourt knew what it felt like to be the Angels’ two way star.

Ironically, Bethancourt faced the Angels as he had his Ohtani moment. He was 2-4 with a homer and three RBI in the Rays’ 11-1 victory, a game that he finished by throwing a shutout ninth inning. While he did allow two hits, Bethancourt also recorded a strikeout in his outing. With that performance, he said that he now knows what it feels like to be Ohtani.

Tampa Bay Rays have their own two way player

There was a time when Bethancourt was regarded as a possible two way player in his own right. Even before Ohtani came stateside, the Padres had attempted to convert the catcher into a utility man and reliever. As he struggled on the mound in the majors and in Triple-A, that plan was scrapped after the 2017 campaign.

As it is, the fact that Bethancourt is even in the majors at all is a testament to his perseverance. That 2017 season was his most recent time in the majors prior to this season, as he spent time in two different organizations and in the Korean Baseball Organization before getting an opportunity with the A’s.

Bethancourt has been a solid contributor this season. He has produced a .242/.283/.398 batting line in his 245 plate appearances between the Rays and A’s, hitting eight homers and 12 doubles. He has also fired a pair of scoreless innings in that time, allowing two hits and a walk while striking out one.

Chances are, the Rays are not going to experiment with turning Bethancourt into a two way player again. As tempting as it may be to have him as yet another option in the bullpen, he has not had that sustained success when working as a pitcher. But that does not mean that he cannot have his own Ohtani moment.

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Tampa Bay Rays catcher Christian Bethancourt had his Shohei Ohtani moment on Tuesday. He not only homered, but he also threw a scoreless inning in the same game.

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