Tim Beckham

Tim Beckham

Beckham with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2015
Tampa Bay Rays – No. 1
Second baseman / Shortstop
Born: (1990-01-27) January 27, 1990
Griffin, Georgia
Bats: Right Throws: Right
MLB debut
September 19, 2013, for the Tampa Bay Rays
MLB statistics
(through April 8, 2016)
Batting average .229
Home runs 9
Runs batted in 39
Teams

Timothy Lamar Beckham (born January 27, 1990) is an American professional baseball infielder for the Tampa Bay Rays of Major League Baseball (MLB). He was the first overall selection of the 2008 MLB Draft by the Rays, and received a signing bonus of $6.15 million.

Athletic profile

Beckham was rated by publications such as Baseball America as the top high school baseball prospect in the nation.[1] Beckham is described as a potential five tool player at the major league level. Beckham runs the 60 yard dash in 6.33 seconds, and bench presses 200 lbs. He stands 6'0" and weighs 190 lbs.[2]

Early years

Beckham, the youngest son of Jimmy and Ella Beckham, grew up in the Crestview Heights neighborhood of Griffin, Georgia. He often played baseball in his yard with his older brothers Stephen and Jeremy. During his younger years Beckham was involved in football, basketball and baseball. However, he quit baseball while in grade school to focus on football and basketball. Encouraged by his brothers, he got back into baseball, and began to excel. Beckham was the shortstop for the Griffin JV baseball team as an eighth grader, and the varsity team at Griffin High School in 2005 as a freshman.[1]

High school

Before settling in at the position his freshman year on the Griffin High varsity team. Beckham batted seventh in the batting order and 14 home runs on the season.[3] In his first at-bat in 2006 as a sophomore, Beckham hit a home run. For the season he batted .405, hitting five home runs, three triples and six doubles. He also added 22 runs batted in and stole 15 bases.[3]

During his junior season at Griffin, Beckham batted .512, hitting nine doubles, six triples, and six home runs. He also added 39 RBIs and stole 20 bases.[1] Following the season, Beckham competed in the World Wood Bat Association 17-Under Summer Championship, in Cincinnati, Ohio. Beckham impressed, and finished the tournament rated as the #1 prospect out of over 2,000 participants. Later that year, in August 2007, Beckham took home the MVP Honors at the Aflac Classic in San Diego, California, the most prestigious high school scouting showcase. Beckham concluded the summer of 2007 having batted .409, hitting nine home runs, 15 doubles, eight triples, and 32 stolen bases, against the best competition in America, confirming his status as the top high school prospect.

Beckham committed to the University of Southern California during his senior year,[4] but maintained his intentions of entering the 2008 MLB Draft. Through 24 games in his senior season, Beckham batted .500, with five home runs, nine doubles and three triples. Beckham also added 31 RBIs and 16 stolen bases.[5]

Professional career

Minor leagues

Beckham in 2009 spring training

He was the first overall selection of the 2008 MLB Draft, and signed with the Rays on June 19, receiving a signing bonus of $6.15 million. He has played with the Princeton Rays of the Appalachian League the Hudson Valley Renegades, the Bowling Green Hot Rods of the Midwest League, and the Charlotte Stone Crabs of the Florida State League.

In 2011, Beckham was selected to the All-Star Futures Game along with fellow Tampa Bay Rays prospects Hak-Ju Lee and Matt Moore.[6]

In May 2012, Beckham was suspended 50 games for a second positive test for a drug of abuse.[7]

After the conclusion of the 2012 season, Beckham was added to the 40-man roster to be protected from the upcoming Rule 5 draft. This was an indication that Beckham would get a chance to prove himself during spring training, but he was expected to return to Triple-A Durham Bulls at the start of the 2013 season.

He was optioned to AAA Durham on March 15, 2013.

Major Leagues

On September 18, 2013, the Rays promoted Beckham to the major leagues.[8]

Beckham made his debut on September 19, 2013, as a pinch hitter against the Texas Rangers. In his only at-bat, he recorded his first career hit, a single, off of Rangers pitcher Tanner Scheppers.

He had 3 hits, all singles, in 7 at-bats. He scored once and drove in a run.

After the 2013 season, Beckham tore his anterior cruciate ligament, and missed the 2014 season.[9]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Baseball America Top Prospects". Prospectsplus.baseballamerica.com. March 25, 2013. Retrieved September 18, 2013.
  2. ↑ "MiLB.com Player Profile: Tim Beckham". Web.minorleaguebaseball.com. April 17, 2007. Retrieved September 18, 2013.
  3. 1 2 "Tim Beckham". Max Preps. Retrieved September 18, 2013.
  4. ↑ Matthews, Alan (December 13, 2007). "Crazy Summer Benefits Beckham". Baseballamerica.com. Retrieved September 18, 2013.
  5. ↑ Baseball Digest Daily
  6. ↑ "Rays prospect Matt Moore pitched a perfect inning in Sunday's Futures Game | MLB.com: News". Mlb.mlb.com. May 24, 2013. Retrieved September 18, 2013.
  7. ↑ "Rays prospect Tim Beckham suspended 50 games | May | 2012 Articles". Bloguin.com. May 1, 2012. Retrieved September 18, 2013.
  8. ↑ "Rays to call up '08 top pick Beckham; Guzman added | raysbaseball.com: News". Mlb.mlb.com. Retrieved September 18, 2013.
  9. ↑ http://www.tampabay.com/sports/baseball/rays/rays-lose-beckham-to-torn-acl/2157078

10. http://www.foxsports.com/florida/story/tampa-bay-rays-tim-beckham-first-career-home-run-bat-flip-041115

External links

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