Wilson Betemit
Encyclopedia
Wilson Betemit (born November 2, 1981 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic) is a Dominican
professional baseball
infielder
. He is 6'2" and weighs 220 pounds. He has previously played for the Atlanta Braves
, Los Angeles Dodgers
, New York Yankees
, Chicago White Sox
, Kansas City Royals
and Detroit Tigers
.
shortstop
by the Atlanta Braves
on July 28, 1996 when he was 14 and a half years old. According to Major League Baseball's age restrictions regarding the signing of minors, teams are not allowed to sign anyone under the age of sixteen. Because of this rule violation, the Braves were fined $100,000 and prohibited from scouting and signing players from the Dominican Republic for six months in 2000.
In , he was the Player of the Year for the Danville Braves
of the Rookie League, and Appalachian League
All-Star shortstop after batting .320 in 67 games, though he made 33 errors in 67 games.
In , with the Jamestown Jammers
, he hit .331 and was named the Braves' # 1 Minor League Prospect by Baseball America
, as well as the Short-Season A Player of the Year and All-Star shortstop.
Betemit started with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans
in Advanced-A ball (hitting the first inside-the-park home run in Pelicans history on June 11), and was promoted mid-season to the Greenville Braves
in AA. He hit .355 with Greenville, and was named the Braves top prospect for the second year in a row. He was also the Braves Minor League Player of the Year, the Florida State League
All-Star shortstop, and the Baseball America 2nd team minor league all-star shortstop.
Called up to the Braves in September, he made his major league debut on September 18, 2001, as a pinch runner
against the Philadelphia Phillies
. He was 0 for 8 for the Braves in limited pinch hitting
opportunities.
In , he was sent to the AAA Richmond Braves
to start the season, but spent significant portions of the season on the disabled list
due to various ailments. Despite a sub-par, injury-ridden season, he was still named the Braves second-best pro prospect after the season.
He spent most of and with Richmond, but appeared in 22 games with the Braves in 2004, recording his first Major League hit
on May 8 against the Houston Astros
.
Betemit finally broke out in as the Braves' principal reserve infielder, frequently filling in at third base
for the Braves' oft-injured star third baseman Chipper Jones
, hitting .305 for the season. He hit his first career home run
on April 27 against New York Mets
pitcher
Tom Glavine
.
In the offseason, following shortstop Rafael Furcal
's free agency in the winter of 2005, the Braves considered giving Betemit the starting shortstop job. However, they decided instead to trade for shortstop Edgar Rentería
from the Boston Red Sox
. Betemit continued to play a valuable role for the Braves as a pinch hitter and backup for second baseman
Marcus Giles
, Rentería, and Chipper Jones.
for relief pitcher
Danys Baez
and infielder Willy Aybar
. He made his debut for the Dodgers on July 30, 2006, playing third base against the Washington Nationals
. He finished the season with a batting average of .241 with 9 home runs and 24 RBI.
He was expected to be the Dodgers starting third baseman in , but poor play resulted in his becoming a part-time starter and pinch hitter. He hit pinch hit home runs in consecutive games against the Braves in May 2007. He hit 10 home runs and 26 RBI in 84 games.
. On August 2, 2007, Betemit homered in his first Yankee at bat
while filling in at shortstop for Derek Jeter and was given a curtain call by the fans in attendance. His entrance song is Pearl Jam
's "Better Man
." On May 9, 2008, Betemit was the victim of Detroit Tigers
's pitcher Kenny Rogers' record setting 92nd career pickoff.
and Jhonny Núñez
were traded to the Chicago White Sox
for first baseman Nick Swisher
and minor league pitcher Kanekoa Texeira
.
On June 3, 2009, the White Sox designated Betemit for assignment to call up prized prospect Gordon Beckham
.
. He began the 2010 season with Kansas City's Class AAA affiliate, the Omaha Royals
of the Pacific Coast League
.
He hit home runs from both sides of the plate on June 10 in a 9–8 win against Minnesota Twins.
for left-handed pitcher Antonio Cruz and catcher Julio Rodriguez.
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
professional baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
infielder
Infielder
An infielder is a baseball player stationed at one of four defensive "infield" positions on the baseball field.-Standard arrangement of positions:In a game of baseball, two teams of nine players take turns playing offensive and defensive roles...
. He is 6'2" and weighs 220 pounds. He has previously played for the Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
, Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
, New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
, Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
, Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
and Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
.
Baseball career
Betemit is a 1996 graduate of Juan Bautista Safra High School, where he played baseball. He was signed as an undrafted free agentFree agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
shortstop
Shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
by the Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
on July 28, 1996 when he was 14 and a half years old. According to Major League Baseball's age restrictions regarding the signing of minors, teams are not allowed to sign anyone under the age of sixteen. Because of this rule violation, the Braves were fined $100,000 and prohibited from scouting and signing players from the Dominican Republic for six months in 2000.
Atlanta Braves
He began his professional career in with the Gulf Coast Braves.In , he was the Player of the Year for the Danville Braves
Danville Braves
The Danville Braves are a minor league baseball team in Danville, Virginia, USA. They are an Advanced Rookie-level team in the Appalachian League and have been a farm team of the Atlanta Braves since 1993. The Braves play home games at American Legion Post 325 Field...
of the Rookie League, and Appalachian League
Appalachian League
The Appalachian League is a Rookie-class minor league that began play in 1937 with one year of inactivity in 1956. From 1937 to 1962, it was a Class D League. Teams are located in the Appalachian regions of Virginia, North Carolina, West Virginia and Tennessee...
All-Star shortstop after batting .320 in 67 games, though he made 33 errors in 67 games.
In , with the Jamestown Jammers
Jamestown Jammers
The Jamestown Jammers are a minor league baseball team in Jamestown, New York, United States. The team is the Short-Season A classification affiliate of the Miami Marlins and plays in the New York - Penn League...
, he hit .331 and was named the Braves' # 1 Minor League Prospect by Baseball America
Baseball America
Baseball America is a magazine which covers baseball at every level, with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in high school, college, Japan, and the minor leagues. It is currently published in the form of a bi-weekly newspaper, five annual reference book titles, a weekly podcast, and a...
, as well as the Short-Season A Player of the Year and All-Star shortstop.
Betemit started with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans
Myrtle Beach Pelicans
The Myrtle Beach Pelicans are a minor league baseball team in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. They are a Class A Advanced team in the Carolina League and the franchise is currently the farm team of the Texas Rangers. From their inaugural season until 2010, the Pelicans were an affiliate of the...
in Advanced-A ball (hitting the first inside-the-park home run in Pelicans history on June 11), and was promoted mid-season to the Greenville Braves
Greenville Braves
The Greenville Braves were an American minor league baseball franchise, based in Greenville, South Carolina, that served as the Class AA farm team of the Atlanta Braves between 1984 and 2004...
in AA. He hit .355 with Greenville, and was named the Braves top prospect for the second year in a row. He was also the Braves Minor League Player of the Year, the Florida State League
Florida State League
The Florida State League is a Class A-Advanced minor league baseball league operating in the state of Florida. They are one of three leagues currently operating in Class A-Advanced, the third highest of six classifications of minor leagues...
All-Star shortstop, and the Baseball America 2nd team minor league all-star shortstop.
Called up to the Braves in September, he made his major league debut on September 18, 2001, as a pinch runner
Pinch runner
A pinch runner is a baseball player substituted for the specific purpose of replacing a player on base. In the typical case, the pinch runner is faster or otherwise more skilled at base-running than the player for whom the pinch runner has been substituted...
against the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
. He was 0 for 8 for the Braves in limited pinch hitting
Pinch hitter
In baseball, a pinch hitter is a substitute batter. Batters can be substituted at any time while the ball is dead ; the manager may use any player that has not yet entered the game as a substitute...
opportunities.
In , he was sent to the AAA Richmond Braves
Richmond Braves
The Richmond Braves were the Triple-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves and played in the International League. Colloquially referred to as the R-Braves, they were based in Richmond, Virginia, where they played from 1966, when the Milwaukee Braves moved to Atlanta where their AAA team, the Crackers,...
to start the season, but spent significant portions of the season on the disabled list
Disabled list
In Major League Baseball, the disabled list is a method for teams to remove their injured players from the roster in order to summon healthy players.-General guidelines:...
due to various ailments. Despite a sub-par, injury-ridden season, he was still named the Braves second-best pro prospect after the season.
He spent most of and with Richmond, but appeared in 22 games with the Braves in 2004, recording his first Major League hit
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
on May 8 against the Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
.
Betemit finally broke out in as the Braves' principal reserve infielder, frequently filling in at third base
Third Base
is a 1978 Japanese film directed by Yōichi Higashi.-External links:...
for the Braves' oft-injured star third baseman Chipper Jones
Chipper Jones
Larry Wayne "Chipper" Jones, Jr. is a Major League baseball player for the National League's Atlanta Braves. Although initially a shortstop, he has spent most of his career as the starting third baseman for the Braves...
, hitting .305 for the season. He hit his first career home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
on April 27 against New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
Tom Glavine
Tom Glavine
Thomas Michael Glavine is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher.With 164 victories during the 1990s, Glavine was the second winningest pitcher in the National League, second only to teammate Greg Maddux's 176...
.
In the offseason, following shortstop Rafael Furcal
Rafael Furcal
Rafael Antonio Furcal , is a Major League Baseball shortstop who is currently a free agent.-Early career:...
's free agency in the winter of 2005, the Braves considered giving Betemit the starting shortstop job. However, they decided instead to trade for shortstop Edgar Rentería
Edgar Rentería
Edgar Enrique Rentería Herazo , nicknamed "The Barranquilla Baby," is a Colombian professional baseball shortstop. He throws and bats right-handed. Previously, he has played for the Florida Marlins, the St...
from the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
. Betemit continued to play a valuable role for the Braves as a pinch hitter and backup for second baseman
Second baseman
Second base, or 2B, is the second of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a base runner in order to score a run for that player's team. A second baseman is the baseball player guarding second base...
Marcus Giles
Marcus Giles
Marcus William Giles is a former Major League Baseball player. He played second base and batted right-handed. His older brother, Brian Giles, was an outfielder who also played in the Major Leagues.-Career:...
, Rentería, and Chipper Jones.
Los Angeles Dodgers
On July 28, 2006, Betemit was traded to the Los Angeles DodgersLos Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
for relief pitcher
Relief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
Danys Baez
Danys Báez
Danys Báez González is a Cuban professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. Báez has previously played for the Cleveland Indians , Tampa Bay Devil Rays , Los Angeles Dodgers , Atlanta Braves , Baltimore Orioles , and Philadelphia Phillies .-Cleveland Indians:Báez was signed by the Cleveland...
and infielder Willy Aybar
Willy Aybar
Willy Del Jesus Aybar is an infielder who currently plays for the Yuma Scorpions in the North American League. Aybar has previously played in Major League Baseball for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Braves, and Tampa Bay Rays...
. He made his debut for the Dodgers on July 30, 2006, playing third base against the Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
. He finished the season with a batting average of .241 with 9 home runs and 24 RBI.
He was expected to be the Dodgers starting third baseman in , but poor play resulted in his becoming a part-time starter and pinch hitter. He hit pinch hit home runs in consecutive games against the Braves in May 2007. He hit 10 home runs and 26 RBI in 84 games.
New York Yankees
On July 31, 2007, the Dodgers traded Betemit to the New York Yankees for relief pitcher Scott ProctorScott Proctor
Scott Christopher Proctor is an American professional baseball pitcher who is currently a Free Agent.-Minor leagues:Proctor was drafted in the 17th round of the 1995 Major League Baseball Draft by the New York Mets out of Martin County High School, but decided to attend Florida State University,...
. On August 2, 2007, Betemit homered in his first Yankee at bat
At bat
In baseball, an at bat or time at bat is used to calculate certain statistics, including batting average, on base percentage, and slugging percentage. It is a more restricted definition of a plate appearance...
while filling in at shortstop for Derek Jeter and was given a curtain call by the fans in attendance. His entrance song is Pearl Jam
Pearl Jam
Pearl Jam is an American rock band that formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1990. Since its inception, the band's line-up has included Eddie Vedder , Jeff Ament , Stone Gossard , and Mike McCready...
's "Better Man
Better Man
"Better Man" is a song by the American rock band Pearl Jam. Written by vocalist Eddie Vedder, "Better Man" is the eleventh track on the band's third studio album, Vitalogy...
." On May 9, 2008, Betemit was the victim of Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
's pitcher Kenny Rogers' record setting 92nd career pickoff.
Chicago White Sox
On November 13, 2008 Betemit, and minor league pitchers Jeffrey MarquezJeffrey Marquez
Jeffrey Joseph Marquez is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Seattle Mariners of Major League Baseball.-New York Yankees:...
and Jhonny Núñez
Jhonny Núñez
Jhonny J. Núñez is a right-handed relief pitcher in professional baseball.-Career:Núñez signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers in...
were traded to the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
for first baseman Nick Swisher
Nick Swisher
Nicholas Thompson "Nick" Swisher is an outfielder for the New York Yankees. Swisher is a switch hitter who throws left-handed....
and minor league pitcher Kanekoa Texeira
Kanekoa Texeira
Kanekoa Jacob Texeira is an American professional baseball pitcher for the New York Yankees organization of Major League Baseball.-Amateur career:...
.
On June 3, 2009, the White Sox designated Betemit for assignment to call up prized prospect Gordon Beckham
Gordon Beckham
James Gordon Beckham III is a baseball infielder, who plays for the Chicago White Sox.-Personal life:...
.
Kansas City Royals
On November 12, 2009 Betemit signed a minor league contract with the Kansas City RoyalsKansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
. He began the 2010 season with Kansas City's Class AAA affiliate, the Omaha Royals
Omaha Royals
The Omaha Storm Chasers are a United States minor league baseball team currently based in the Omaha suburb of Papillion, Nebraska. The team is the Triple-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals major league club and has been a member of the expanded Pacific Coast League since 1998. From 1969 to 1997,...
of the Pacific Coast League
Pacific Coast League
The Pacific Coast League is a minor-league baseball league operating in the Western, Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Along with the International League and the Mexican League, it is one of three leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball.The...
.
He hit home runs from both sides of the plate on June 10 in a 9–8 win against Minnesota Twins.
Detroit Tigers
On July 20, 2011, Betemit was traded to the Detroit TigersDetroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
for left-handed pitcher Antonio Cruz and catcher Julio Rodriguez.