The Gary SouthShore RailCats have made another big addition to their bullpen through the signing of Jose Betances.
Betances, 23, receives his first taste of MLB Partner League and American Association baseball after spending parts of six seasons in the Houston Astros organization.
Originally signed as an international free agent as a 17-year-old in 2017, the Salcedo, Dominican Republic native began his professional career in the Dominican Summer League, making 33 appearances across three seasons. After finishing off his first year by posting a 3.38 earned run average, he finished off his run by striking out 17 batters in 19.1 innings in 2019, prompting the Astros to promote him stateside.
Following the COVID-19 pandemic that cancelled the 2020 campaign, the Astros assigned Betances to the Single-A Fayetteville Woodpeckers, where he continued to post impressive strikeout numbers, fanning 53 batters in 24 appearances spanning 38.1 innings. The right-hander went on to quickly rise through the organization, spending 2022 across three levels, ultimately reaching the Double-A Corpus Christi Hooks. He flashed his swing-and-miss stuff throughout, completing the year with 67 punchouts during his 48 innings of work.
Earlier in 2023, Betances split time between the Hooks and High-A Asheville Tourists before heading to the South Shore.
The RailCats return home July 20 for a four-game series against the Chicago Dogs. Tickets are available by visiting www.railcatsbaseball.com or calling 219-882-2255.
