Omar Beltré
| Omar Beltre | |
|---|---|
| Pitcher | |
| Born: August 24, 1981 Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| June 30, 2010, for the Texas Rangers | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| July 5, 2010, for the Texas Rangers | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 0–1 |
| Earned run average | 9.00 |
| Strikeouts | 9 |
| Teams | |
Omar Beltre (Born August 24, 1981) is a Dominican former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Texas Rangers.
Professional career
[edit]Minor leagues
[edit]Beltre signed with the Texas Rangers on March 1, 2000.[1] He received a $600,000 bonus, the largest the Rangers have ever given an international player.[2] He was assigned to the Gulf Coast League Rangers, and went 5–4 with a 3.54 earned run average and 44 strikeouts in his first professional season. He improved to 6–3 with a 3.38 ERA and 83 strikeouts for the Appalachian League's Pulaski Rangers in 2001, leading his team in both wins and strikeouts.
After sitting out the entire 2002 season with an injury,[1] he returned to go 3–3 with a 2.39 ERA for the Midwest League's Clinton LumberKings in 2003. Having been used primarily as a starter up to that point, Beltre only made five starts in 2003 and eleven appearances out of the bullpen.
Human trafficking ring
[edit]After going 5–5 with a 2.45 ERA and 47 strikeouts in 46 games (all in relief) with the Stockton Ports in 2004, Beltre earned his first invitation to spring training When he went to the U.S. embassy in January 2005 to pick up his work visa, consulate officials were waiting. According to the Rangers' information, consulate officials soon discovered an inordinate number of young minor league ballplayers had been married in a short period to women who had previously been denied visas, raising a red flag.
Beltre immediately admitted guilt to his involvement in a human trafficking ring, and was assured that he would likely only receive a one-year exclusion, and that he would be able to reapply the following year. As it turned out, he was banned from entering the United States for five years, limiting him to winter ball, the Dominican Summer League and international tournaments.[3][4]
He missed all of the 2008 season and most of 2009 with another injury.[1]
Texas Rangers
[edit]On February 12, 2010, he and pitcher Alexi Ogando, who was also involved in the human trafficking ring out of the Dominican Republic, were granted visas, and allowed to attend Spring training, arriving in the U.S. on the 16th.[5] After spring training, he was assigned to the triple A Oklahoma City RedHawks of the Pacific Coast League, where he went 0–5 with a 2.39 ERA in fifteen games (five starts) before getting called up to the majors.[6]
He was optioned to the Triple A Oklahoma City RedHawks on July 6, 2010,[7] and never made another major league appearance.
Beltré underwent surgery for spinal stenosis in February 2011.[8] He became a free agent at the end of the season.[9]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "Texas Rangers Top 20 Prospects: No. 20 Omar Beltre". MILB.com. February 7, 2011. Archived from the original on February 7, 2011. Retrieved January 4, 2016.
- ^ "Path may be clearing for banned Dominican pitchers to join Texas Rangers organization". WFAA. February 1, 2010. Retrieved January 4, 2016.
- ^ "Role in fraud ruins dreams for Texas Rangers' prospects". Dallas News. March 9, 2008. Archived from the original on October 29, 2008.
- ^ "Freedom takes on deeper meaning for Rangers' Alexi Ogando, Omar Beltre". Dallas Morning News. July 4, 2010. Retrieved January 4, 2016.
- ^ T.R. Sullivan (February 12, 2010). "Texas prospects Beltre, Ogando obtain visas". MLB.com. Archived from the original on February 15, 2010.
- ^ Mike McCall (June 30, 2010). "Beltre's debut comes in key game vs. Angels". MLB.com.
- ^ "Rodriguez going to anti-steroid event". Pasenda Star News. Associated Press. July 6, 2011. Retrieved January 4, 2016.
- ^ Gleeman, Aaron (February 17, 2011). "Rangers pitcher Omar Beltre to undergo spinal surgery". NBC Sports. Retrieved January 4, 2016.
- ^ Eddy, Matt (November 4, 2011). "Minor League Free Agents 2011". Baseball America. Retrieved January 4, 2016.
External links
[edit]- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors)
- Minor League Baseball
- 1981 births
- Living people
- Baseball players at the 2007 Pan American Games
- Clinton LumberKings players
- Dominican Republic criminals
- Dominican Republic expatriate baseball players in the United States
- Gulf Coast Rangers players
- Major League Baseball pitchers
- Major League Baseball players from the Dominican Republic
- Oklahoma City RedHawks players
- Pulaski Rangers players
- Texas Rangers players
- Toros del Este players
- Baseball players from Santo Domingo
- Stockton Ports players
- Sportspeople convicted of crimes
- Pan American Games competitors for the Dominican Republic
- Arizona League Rangers players
- Azucareros del Este players
- Dominican Summer League Rangers players