The Atlanta Braves had just one representative at the 2012 MLB Future's Game in Christian Bethancourt, and he showed the sellout crowd in Kansas City just why scouts rave about him so much.
Bethancourt took an 0-for-3 at the plate with a strikeout, but he was robbed of a hit (and probably an RBI) on a nice leaping catch from the Team USA shortstop. What was his shining moment was a play that came behind the plate; Bethancourt fired a strike three pitch down to second base to throw out a would-be base stealer. It was an absolute rocket of a throw, and one scout had him at 1.82 seconds on the release.
That's good enough to make him an elite defensive catcher right now in the Major Leagues, and that isn't even the fastest time Bethancourt has been clocked at.
Team USA has completely dominated the game in the later innings. Despite trailing 4-0 after three innings, they now lead 17-5 in the top of the eighth.
For more on Bethancourt and the Braves, check out Talking Chop.