Francis Beltrán: Difference between revisions

Francis Beltrán
Francis Beltrán
Detroit Tigers – No. 62
	Relief pitcher
	Bats: Right Throws: Right
debut
	June 28, 2002, for the Chicago Cubs
Career statistics ; (through April 20, 2008)
Win-Loss	3-2
Earned run average	5.86
Strikeouts	63
Teams
	Chicago Cubs (2002, 2004); Montreal Expos (2004); Detroit Tigers (2008);

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Francis LeBron Beltrán (born November 29, 1979 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic) is a relief pitcher in the Detroit Tigers organization who currently plays for the Toledo Mud Hens.

Career

Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs signed Beltran as an undrafted free agent in 1996 and assigned him to the Arizona League Cubs, their rookie-level minor league affiliate. Beltran spent three seasons (1997-1999) with the Arizona team, going a combined 1-3, with an ERA of 3.99 in 35 appearances. Mid-way through the 1999 season the Cubs promoted him to the Single-A Eugene Emeralds. There his ERA ballooned to 8.36, and the Cubs kept him in Eugene for the 2000 season. Beltran's ERA improved to 2.68, and the Cubs promoted him to the Single-A Lansing Lugnuts, where he went 1-1 with a 9.86 ERA. In 2001 the Cubs moved Beltran up to the Single-A Daytona Cubs, where he went 6-9 with an ERA of 5.00. In November of that year the Cubs signaled their confidence in Beltran by adding him to their 40-man roster.^[1]

In 2002 the Cubs promoted Beltran to the Double-A West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx. Beltran got off to a good start; by the end of June he was 1-2 with 12 saves and an ERA of 3.42. On June 27, 2002, the Cubs called up Beltran to replace Jason Bere, who had gone on the disabled list with a contusion to his right knee.^[2] Beltran made his major league debut on June 28 in an interleague game against the crosstown-rival Chicago White Sox. Beltran walked two over a third of an inning but did not surrender a run. In a second appearance on July 1 Beltran gave up one run in two-thirds of inning while striking-out one. The next day the Cubs sent him back to West Tennessee to make room for reliever Tom "Flash" Gordon.^[3] In August the Cubs recalled Beltran as reliever Juan Cruz went on the disabled list.^[4] Beltran appeared in an additional nine games for the Cubs, with an overall ERA of 7.50.

The Cubs invited Beltran to spring training in 2003 but he started the year with the Triple-A Iowa Cubs; the first time he had played for that team. Beltran pitched the whole year at Iowa, going 6-2 with a 2.96 ERA. The Cubs briefly recalled him in June after David Kelton was sent down, but optioned him back to Iowa before he made an appearance.^[5] In July there was talk that Beltran would be the player to be named later in deal between the Cubs and the Pittsburgh Pirates in which the Cubs sent Jose Hernandez and Matt Bruback to the Pirates in exchange for Kenny Lofton and Aramis Ramirez; in the end the Pirates took Bobby Hill.^[6] Beltran's season ended early because of bicep tendinitis, but during the off-season played in the Caribbean World Series and was named series MVP. The Cubs had him marked down as their future closer.^[7]^[8]Beltran began the year with Iowa after a "horrendous" spring training.^[9] After just a few appearances, however, the Cubs recalled him to replace Andy Pratt, who had struggled. Said manager Dusty Baker of Beltran: "[He] was doing well down there [in Iowa], and we felt he deserved a chance."^[10]

Beltran made 35 appearances for the Cubs that year, posting a 2-2 record with a 4.36 ERA. He struck out 40 batters in 35 innings but also gave up eight home runs, including a record-breaking 503-foot shot by Richie Sexson in Bank One Ballpark on April 26, 2004.^[11] On July 21 the Cubs sent Beltran back to Iowa and replaced him with Jon Leicester. A week later he was traded to the Montreal Expos as part of a four-team deal which sent Nomar Garciaparra to the Cubs.^[12] The Expos optioned Beltran to the Triple-A Edmonton Trappers.

Montreal Expos / Washington Nationals

At Edmonton Beltran worked as a closer and saved five games with an ERA of 1.80. The Expos recalled Beltran in mid-August; he posted a 7.53 ERA over 11 appearances. Beltran pitched the final inning of the last game played by the Expos, an 8-1 loss to the New York Mets.^[13] Beltran remained with the Expos as they became the Washington Nationals, but sat out the entire 2005 season because of elbow surgery.^[14] He missed much of the 2006 season as well, making a combined 10 appearances with the Gulf Coast Nationals and New Orleans Zephyrs, and was released at the end of the year.

Baltimore Orioles

In 2007 the Baltimore Orioles signed Beltran to a minor-league contract and sent him to the Triple-A Norfolk Tides. Beltran did not get the call and spent the entire year in Norfolk, going 2-9 with a 4.70 ERA and eight saves.

Detroit Tigers

2008 found Beltran with the Detroit Tigers, who invited him to spring training. At the conclusion of spring training Beltran went to the triple-A Toledo Mud Hens, but was called up almost immediately after the Tigers received word that injured reliever Fernando Rodney's return to the team would be delayed (Rodney would return in June).^[15] Beltran made five appearances for the Tigers, allowing five runs in 4 1/3 innings for an ERA of 5.79. The Tigers designated him assignment, and after he cleared waivers returned him Toledo.^[16]

External links

Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs

References

^ "NL Central team notes". The Sporting News. November 26, 2001. p. 58.
^ Kiley, Mike (June 28, 2002). "Beltran promoted with Bere on the DL". Chicago Sun-Times. p. 163.
^ Kiley, Mike (July 2, 2002). "Gordon says he's ready for role call". Chicago Sun-Times. p. 99.
^ "Cubs place Cruz on DL, recall Beltran". Associated Press. August 13, 2002.
^ "Cubs call up Hill, send Beltran back to minors". Associated Press. June 16, 2003.
^ Kiley, Mike (July 26, 2003). "Pirates eyeing Beltran or Hill". Chicago Sun-Times.
^ "Baseball Inside Dish". The Sporting News. February 23, 2004. p. 51.
^ Kiley, Mark (March 15, 2004). "Cruz-for-prospect trade talk with Marlins just a rumor". Chicago Sun-Times. p. 103.
^ Kiley, Mike (April 23, 2004). "Throw Beltran into Cubs' pitching mix". Chicago Sun-Times. p. 161.
^ "Cubs recall Beltran, option Pratt". Associated Press. April 14, 2004.
^ "Johnson dominates Cubs; Diamondbacks' Sexson hits 503-foot homer in 9-0 victory". Houston Chronicle. April 27, 2004. p. 2.
^ Ulman, Howard (July 31, 2004). "Garciaparra to Cubs, Mientkiewicz to Red Sox in four-team trade". Associated Press.
^ "Mets 8, Expos 1". CBS Sports. Retrieved 2008-07-04.
^ Zuckerman, Mark (March 10, 2005). "Beltran may face surgery". Washington Times. p. C09.
^ "Rodney news is not good; Reliever has bad bullpen session in Lakeland". Grand Rapids Press. April 6, 2008. p. D5.
^ Morosi, Jon Paul (April 18, 2008). "Tigers pitcher Francis Beltran clears waivers, outrighted to Toledo". Detroit Free Press.

Template:Toledo Mud Hens roster navbox

[1] "NL Central team notes". The Sporting News. November 26, 2001. p. 58.

[2] Kiley, Mike (June 28, 2002). "Beltran promoted with Bere on the DL". Chicago Sun-Times. p. 163.

[3] Kiley, Mike (July 2, 2002). "Gordon says he's ready for role call". Chicago Sun-Times. p. 99.

[4] "Cubs place Cruz on DL, recall Beltran". Associated Press. August 13, 2002.

[5] "Cubs call up Hill, send Beltran back to minors". Associated Press. June 16, 2003.

[6] Kiley, Mike (July 26, 2003). "Pirates eyeing Beltran or Hill". Chicago Sun-Times.

[7] "Baseball Inside Dish". The Sporting News. February 23, 2004. p. 51.

[8] Kiley, Mark (March 15, 2004). "Cruz-for-prospect trade talk with Marlins just a rumor". Chicago Sun-Times. p. 103.

[9] Kiley, Mike (April 23, 2004). "Throw Beltran into Cubs' pitching mix". Chicago Sun-Times. p. 161.

[10] "Cubs recall Beltran, option Pratt". Associated Press. April 14, 2004.

[11] "Johnson dominates Cubs; Diamondbacks' Sexson hits 503-foot homer in 9-0 victory". Houston Chronicle. April 27, 2004. p. 2.

[12] Ulman, Howard (July 31, 2004). "Garciaparra to Cubs, Mientkiewicz to Red Sox in four-team trade". Associated Press.

[13] "Mets 8, Expos 1". CBS Sports. Retrieved 2008-07-04.

[14] Zuckerman, Mark (March 10, 2005). "Beltran may face surgery". Washington Times. p. C09.

[15] "Rodney news is not good; Reliever has bad bullpen session in Lakeland". Grand Rapids Press. April 6, 2008. p. D5.

[16] Morosi, Jon Paul (April 18, 2008). "Tigers pitcher Francis Beltran clears waivers, outrighted to Toledo". Detroit Free Press.

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@@ Line 25: / Line 25: @@
 *[[Detroit Tigers]] ({{by|2008}})
 }}
-'''Francis LeBron Beltrán''' (born [[November 29]], [[1979]] in [[Santo Domingo]], [[Dominican Republic]]) is a [[relief pitcher]] currently [[designated for assignment]] by the [[Detroit Tigers]]<ref>[http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080416/SPORTS02/804160406/1048 New Tiger starter Armando Galarraga's plan: Keep start simple | Freep.com | Detroit Free Press<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>.  He is 6'6" and weighs 255 pounds. He bats and throws [[right-handed]].
+'''Francis LeBron Beltrán''' (born [[November 29]], [[1979]] in [[Santo Domingo]], [[Dominican Republic]]) is a [[relief pitcher]] in the [[Detroit Tigers]] organization who currently plays for the [[Toledo Mud Hens]].
+== Career ==
+=== Chicago Cubs ===
+The [[Chicago Cubs]] signed Beltran as an undrafted [[free agent]] in 1996 and assigned him to the [[Arizona League Cubs]], their [[rookie]]-level [[minor league baseball|minor league]] affiliate. Beltran spent three seasons (1997-1999) with the Arizona team, going a combined 1-3, with an [[earned run average|ERA]] of 3.99 in 35 appearances. Mid-way through the 1999 season the Cubs promoted him to the Single-A [[Eugene Emeralds]]. There his ERA ballooned to 8.36, and the Cubs kept him in Eugene for the 2000 season. Beltran's ERA improved to 2.68, and the Cubs promoted him to the Single-A [[Lansing Lugnuts]], where he went 1-1 with a 9.86 ERA. In 2001 the Cubs moved Beltran up to the Single-A [[Daytona Cubs]], where he went 6-9 with an ERA of 5.00. In November of that year the Cubs signaled their confidence in Beltran by adding him to their [[40-man roster]].<ref>{{cite news | title=NL Central team notes | work=[[The Sporting News]] | date=November 26, 2001 | page=58}}</ref>
+In 2002 the Cubs promoted Beltran to the Double-A [[West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx]]. Beltran got off to a good start; by the end of June he was 1-2 with 12 [[save (baseball)|saves]] and an ERA of 3.42. On June 27, 2002, the Cubs called up Beltran to replace [[Jason Bere]], who had gone on the [[disabled list]] with a [[contusion]] to his right [[knee]].<ref>{{cite news | title=Beltran promoted with Bere on the DL | date=June 28, 2002 | work=[[Chicago Sun-Times]] | first=Mike | last=Kiley | page=163}}</ref> Beltran made his major league debut on June 28 in an [[interleague]] game against the crosstown-rival [[Chicago White Sox]]. Beltran walked two over a third of an inning but did not surrender a run. In a second appearance on July 1 Beltran gave up one run in two-thirds of inning while striking-out one. The next day the Cubs sent him back to West Tennessee to make room for reliever [[Tom Gordon|Tom "Flash" Gordon]].<ref>{{cite news | title=Gordon says he's ready for role call | work=[[Chicago Sun-Times]] | date=July 2, 2002 | first=Mike | last=Kiley | page=99}}</ref> In August the Cubs recalled Beltran as reliever [[Juan Cruz]] went on the disabled list.<ref>{{cite news | title=Cubs place Cruz on DL, recall Beltran | work=[[Associated Press]] | date=August 13, 2002}}</ref> Beltran appeared in an additional nine games for the Cubs, with an overall ERA of 7.50.
+The Cubs invited Beltran to [[spring training]] in 2003 but he started the year with the Triple-A [[Iowa Cubs]]; the first time he had played for that team. Beltran pitched the whole year at Iowa, going 6-2 with a 2.96 ERA. The Cubs briefly recalled him in June after [[David Kelton]] was sent down, but optioned him back to Iowa before he made an appearance.<ref>{{cite news | title=Cubs call up Hill, send Beltran back to minors | work=[[Associated Press]] | date=June 16, 2003}}</ref> In July there was talk that Beltran would be the [[player to be named later]] in deal between the Cubs and the [[Pittsburgh Pirates]] in which the Cubs sent [[Jose Hernandez]] and [[Matt Bruback]] to the Pirates in exchange for [[Kenny Lofton]] and [[Aramis Ramirez]]; in the end the Pirates took [[Bobby Hill]].<ref>{{cite news | title=Pirates eyeing Beltran or Hill | work=[[Chicago Sun-Times]] | first=Mike | last=Kiley | date=July 26, 2003}}</ref> Beltran's season ended early because of bicep tendinitis, but during the off-season played in the [[Caribbean World Series]] and was named series [[MVP]]. The Cubs had him marked down as their future [[closer (baseball)|closer]].<ref>{{cite news | title=Baseball Inside Dish | work=[[The Sporting News]] | date=February 23, 2004 | page=51}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title=Cruz-for-prospect trade talk with Marlins just a rumor | work=[[Chicago Sun-Times]] | first=Mark | last=Kiley | date=March 15, 2004 | page=103}}</ref>Beltran began the year with Iowa after a "horrendous" spring training.<ref>{{cite news | title=Throw Beltran into Cubs' pitching mix | first=Mike | last=Kiley | work=[[Chicago Sun-Times]] | date=April 23, 2004 | page=161}}</ref> After just a few appearances, however, the Cubs recalled him to replace [[Andy Pratt]], who had struggled. Said manager [[Dusty Baker]] of Beltran: "[He] was doing well down there [in Iowa], and we felt he deserved a chance."<ref>{{cite news | title=Cubs recall Beltran, option Pratt | work=[[Associated Press]] | date=April 14, 2004}}</ref>
+Beltran made 35 appearances for the Cubs that year, posting a 2-2 record with a 4.36 ERA. He struck out 40 batters in 35 innings but also gave up eight [[home run]]s, including a record-breaking 503-foot shot by [[Richie Sexson]] in [[Bank One Ballpark]] on April 26, 2004.<ref>{{cite news | title=Johnson dominates Cubs; Diamondbacks' Sexson hits 503-foot homer in 9-0 victory | work=[[Houston Chronicle]] | date=April 27, 2004 | page=2}}</ref> On July 21 the Cubs sent Beltran back to Iowa and replaced him with [[Jon Leicester]]. A week later he was traded to the [[Montreal Expos]] as part of a four-team deal which sent [[Nomar Garciaparra]] to the Cubs.<ref>{{cite news | title=Garciaparra to Cubs, Mientkiewicz to Red Sox in four-team trade | work=[[Associated Press]] | first=Howard | last=Ulman | date=July 31, 2004}}</ref> The Expos optioned Beltran to the Triple-A [[Edmonton Trappers]].
+=== Montreal Expos / Washington Nationals ===
+At Edmonton Beltran worked as a closer and saved five games with an ERA of 1.80. The Expos recalled Beltran in mid-August; he posted a 7.53 ERA over 11 appearances. Beltran pitched the final inning of the last game played by the Expos, an 8-1 loss to the [[New York Mets]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/gamecenter/recap/MLB_20041003_MON@NYM | title=Mets 8, Expos 1 | accessdate=2008-07-04 | work=[[CBS Sports]]}}</ref> Beltran remained with the Expos as they became the [[Washington Nationals]], but sat out the entire 2005 season because of elbow surgery.<ref>{{cite news | title=Beltran may face surgery | first=Mark | last=Zuckerman | work=[[Washington Times]] | date=March 10, 2005 | page=C09}}</ref> He missed much of the 2006 season as well, making a combined 10 appearances with the [[Gulf Coast Nationals]] and [[New Orleans Zephyrs]], and was released at the end of the year.
+=== Baltimore Orioles ===
+In 2007 the [[Baltimore Orioles]] signed Beltran to a minor-league contract and sent him to the Triple-A [[Norfolk Tides]]. Beltran did not get the call and spent the entire year in Norfolk, going 2-9 with a 4.70 ERA and eight saves.
+=== Detroit Tigers ===
+found Beltran with the [[Detroit Tigers]], who invited him to [[spring training]]. At the conclusion of spring training Beltran went to the triple-A [[Toledo Mud Hens]], but was called up almost immediately after the Tigers received word that injured reliever [[Fernando Rodney]]'s return to the team would be delayed (Rodney would return in June).<ref>{{cite news | title=Rodney news is not good; Reliever has bad bullpen session in Lakeland | work=[[Grand Rapids Press]] | date=April 6, 2008 | page=D5}}</ref> Beltran made five appearances for the Tigers, allowing five runs in 4 1/3 innings for an ERA of 5.79. The Tigers [[designated for assignment|designated him assignment]], and after he cleared waivers returned him Toledo.<ref>{{cite news | title=Tigers pitcher Francis Beltran clears waivers, outrighted to Toledo | work=[[Detroit Free Press]] | date=April 18, 2008 | first=Jon Paul | last=Morosi}}</ref>
 ==External links==
@@ Line 40: / Line 59: @@
 [[Category:Major league pitchers]]
 [[Category:Dominican Republic baseball players]]
+[[Category:Arizona League Cubs players]]
 [[Category:Chicago Cubs players]]
-[[Category:Montreal Expos players]]
+[[Category:Daytona Cubs players]]
 [[Category:Detroit Tigers players]]
 [[Category:Edmonton Trappers players]]
+[[Category:Eugene Emeralds players]]
+[[Category:Gulf Coast Nationals players]]
-{{DominicanRepublic-baseball-bio-stub}}
+[[Category:Iowa Cubs players]]
-{{2000s-baseball-pitcher-stub}}
+[[Category:Lansing Lugnuts players]]
+[[Category:Montreal Expos players]]
+[[Category:New Orleans Zephyrs players]]
+[[Category:Norfolk Tides players]]
+[[Category:Toledo Mud Hens players]]
+[[Category:West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx players]]