Locked in an extremely tight battle for the last two American League playoff spots, the Tampa Bay Rays have decided to add one of their top prospects, the 2008 MLB Draft’s first overall pick, shortstop Tim Beckham to the roster, calling up the youngster from Triple-A Durham. A right-handed hitter, Beckham also has shown versatility and is able to play second base if the Rays choose.
Beckham, now 23 years old, hit .276/.342/.387 with four home runs, 51 RBIs, 71 runs scored and 17 stolen bases in 122 games this season for the Triple-A Durham Bulls.
Beckham is trying to forge out a major league career after five tough seasons in the minors. When the Rays drafted him in 2008, and gave him a $6.15 million signing bonus, the Georgia high schooler was considered the top prospect in the country by most experts. However he really struggled with the bat early in his minor league career before breaking out in 2011 at the Double-A level, making the MLB Futures game during the All-star weekend and working his way up to Triple-A.
It hasn’t been all roses from there though, as Beckham was suspended for 50 games in May 2012 for a second positive drug test. It is important to note that Beckham did not test positive for PEDs, but rather for some type of recreational drug.
It will be interesting to watch Beckham going forward and to see if he can overcome his struggles and contribute to the Rays playoff push as he gets his first action in the Major Leagues. How will he be used? Does he give Yunel Escobar a rest down the stretch, is he a late inning pitch hitter, or is he merely going to be used as a pinch runner in late inning situations. No matter what, the Major League experience certainly can’t hurt Beckham’s development going forward.
To clear space on the 40-man MLB roster for Beckham, the Rays have moved injured outfielder Brandon Guyer to the 60-day disabled list.
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