2012 Media Guide - MLB.com - Colorado Rockies

63 RAFAEL BETANCOURT RHP
Ht: 6-2 Wt: 220 B/T: R/R Age: 36/37
Born: April 29, 1975 in Cumana, VZ Residence: Cumana, VZ
Major League Service: 8.079 Contract: Through 2013 (‘14 mutual)
obtained: Trade from Cleveland for RHP Connor Graham on July 23, 2009
HIgHLIgHTS
Was the primary setup man in his second full season with the Rockies before becoming the team’s closer in
August...finished 2011 going 8-for-9 in save opportunities and held opponents to a .061 (3-for-49) average,
which was the best mark among all MLB pitchers from 8/9-end of the season...his 8 saves in 2011
set a career-high mark and he recorded his third-straight season with 20-plus holds (2009-11)...set a careerhigh
with 72 appearances and 89 strikeouts in 2010...went 3-1, 1.78 ERA in 32 games after being traded to
Colorado in July 2009...set career highs in innings pitched (79.1) and holds (31) while logging career-low
1.47 ERA for 2007 AL Central Champion Indians...pitched for native Venezuela in 2006 World Baseball
Classic...spent time as Cleveland’s closer for a short period in late April/early May 2004...following a full year off
(right elbow surgery), returned to the mound and pitched at Double-A and Triple-A before making MLB debut, a
loss on 7/13/03 vs. CWS...earned first MLB win (4/27 vs. MIN) and save (8/10 vs. ANA) in 2003.
CAREER
• A veteran of nine Major League seasons, Betancourt has made 543 appearances, all in relief, since his Major League
debut in 2003...has played for only two teams, Cleveland (2003-09) and Colorado (2009-11).
• Has 50 or more appearances in eight consecutive seasons since 2004, as well as 60 or more in 2004 and 2007-2011.
• Following July 2009 trade, he immediately became the Rockies primary setup man, leading the club with 12 holds and
a save down the stretch...added to that total in 2010 and 2011 when he led the team with 23 holds (‘10) and 22 (‘11).
• 138 of his 172 appearances (80.2 pct.) with Rockies and 408 of 543 (75.1) career outings have been scoreless.
• Is 6-0, 3.18 (79.1 ip, 28 er) in 95 career games at Coors Field (94 appearances as a member of the Rockies).
• Has 27 career saves, as he saved a career-best eight games in 2011...that mark doubled his previous high for saves
in a single-season...became the Rockies closer in early August 2011 and went 8-for-9 in save opps to end the season.
• Limiting right-handed hitters to .208 (254-for-1222) batting average in his career...has held righties to a sub-.200 average
each of the last three seasons... .189 in 2011, .187 in 2010 and .169 in 2009.
• With 162 strikeouts over the past two seasons (2010-11), he ranks tied for ninth in the Majors among relief pitchers.
• Set career highs in both appearances, with 72, and strikeouts, with 89, in 2010.
• Finished among the top-3 relievers in MLB in strikeouts to walk ratio for the second season in a row in 2011 with a 9.13
mark...he leads all MLB relievers with a 9.05 strikeouts to walk ratio (190 SO, 21 BB) since the Rockies acquired the
right-hander on 7/31/09 from Cleveland...additionally, Betancourt’s 21 walks since he became a Rockie in 2009 are the
fewest for an MLB reliever with at least 150 appearances.
• Has pitched 1.0 inning or more in 410 of his 543 career appearances (2.23 ERA in those games).
• Had best statistical season in 2007 as he tallied 31 holds (tied for AL lead among relievers) with a career-low 1.47 ERA.
• Logged 2.79 ERA in 2005 as Cleveland’s bullpen finished with an MLB-best mark of 2.80.
• During his time with the Indians, the right-hander went 23-22 with a 3.25 ERA (410.0 ip, 148 er) in 371 games...he ranks
eighth all-time on Cleveland’s franchise list for appearances...trails seventh-place Eric Plunk (373) by two games.
• From 2003-09 with the Indians, Betancourt was one of the premier setup pitchers in the American League...his 84 holds
in that span were tied for sixth in the AL while his strikeouts per walks ratio of 3.79 in that span ranked fourth among AL
relievers (trailing only Mariano Rivera, Jonathan Papelbon and Joe Nathan).
2011
• Spent the season as one of the Rockies late-inning relievers, including the final month-plus as Colorado’s closer.
• In 68 appearances he went 2-0 with 8 saves, 22 holds, a 2.89 ERA (62.1 ip, 20 er), 8 walks and 73 strikeouts...his 22
holds, 73 strikeouts and .203 opponents batting average all led Rockies relievers.
• Though steady all season, Betancourt was one of the Majors most productive relievers following the All-Star break, as
he owned a 0.33 ERA (27.0 ip, 1 er), .080 opponents batting average (7-for-88), 8 saves and 4 holds with one walk and
2011 HIgHS AND LoWS CAREER
3, 4x, last: September 20 vs. SD ..........................Strikeouts ........................................5, July 5, 2006 vs. NYY
3, 5x, last: July 6 at ATL ............................................Hits..................................4, 4x, last: April 5, 2008 at OAK
2, 6x, last: July 6 at ATL ............................................Runs ............................................5, July 25, 2005 at OAK
2, 6x, last: July 6 at ATL......................................Earned Runs ......................................5, July 25, 2005 at OAK
1, 7x, last: August 27 at LAD ................................Home Runs ........................2, 3x, last: August 24, 2003 at TB
1, 8x, last: July 22 at ARI..........................................Walks ................................4, September 16, 2008 vs. MIN
1.1, August 27 at LAD ....................................Innings (Reliever) ................................3.1, July 5, 2006 vs. NYY
10.0, August 1-24 ......................................Scoreless Inning Streak ......................19.0, May 13-June 20, 2007
2, April 1-September 29 ........................................Win Streak ..................7, August 12, 2006-September 4, 2007
None ................................................................Losing Streak....................................4, June 6-August 8, 2006
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BETANCoURT