Chris

Betts

Betts signed a minor league contract with the Dodgers back in February and hit just .146/.255/.360 with five home runs across 102 plate appearances this season for Double-A Tulsa. The 25-year-old backstop was a second-round selection by the Rays back in 2015.

Betts, a former second-round pick of the Rays back in 2015, hit .149/.281/.284 with two homers in 27 games between the Rays’ Florida Complex League affiliate and Double-A Montgomery last season. The power-hitting 24-year-old backstop launched an impressive 19 homers in 110 games at High-A Bowling Green back in 2019. He’s a worthwhile dice roll for the Dodgers and will bolster their minor-league catching depth this season.

Betts is the third catcher to come off the board after the Reds and Angels selected Tyler Stephenson and Taylor Ward in the first round, respectively. The 18-year-old left-handed hitter’s power is his carrying tool, though right now it’s more raw power than usable, in-game thump. Betts’ 6-foot-1, 215-pound frame is a concern going forward given the rigors of catching at the highest level, but he’s a good receiver and has the plus arm strength to help make up for some of his defensive shortcomings. Committed to Tennessee, Betts finished his four-year varsity career at Woodrow Wilson HS (Calif.) with a .345/.443/.552 batting line, 16 home runs, 15 doubles, 74 RBI, 70 runs scored and 32/52 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 113 games.

Betts, the team’s second round selection from June’s draft (No. 52 overall), is a power-hitting 18-year-old catcher. The team discovered the elbow issue during his physical and knew it before he signed.