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.
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Athletic profile
Beckham was rated by publications such as Baseball America as the top high school baseball prospect in the nation. 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 lb. He stands 6 ft 0 in and weighs 190 lb.
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.
High school
In his freshman year for the Griffin High varsity team, Beckham batted seventh in the order and hit 14 home runs on the season. 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.
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. 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 some of the best competition in America.
Beckham committed to the University of Southern California during his senior year, 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.
Professional career
Minor leagues
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.
In May 2012, Beckham was suspended 50 games for a second positive test for a drug of abuse.
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.
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. On April 11, 2015, Beckham hit his first major league home run.
2016 Season
In 2016, Beckham played a backup utility man role, mainly playing SS, but also seeing time at all 4 infield positions. Beckham was demoted to Triple-A Durham on August 31, 2016 after not hustling home from 2nd base during a game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park earlier that day. He finished the 2016 season with a .247 batting average, with 5 home runs and 16 RBIs in 64 games.
2017 Season
In Spring Training, the Rays reported that Beckham had been working on playing in the outfield in an attempt to give him more playing time and a more important platoon role.
Due to an injury to newly acquired shortstop Matt Duffy, Beckham was able to see an improved amount of playing time at shortstop and even started the opening day game. Due to the unexpected length of the injury, Beckham saw a blossom in playing time, starting in majority of the Rays games. This improved amount of playing time led Beckham to a minor break out. Batting .266/.303/.422 with 8 home runs, 26 RBIs through the first two months, becoming one of the most productive offensive shortstops in the league during this time period. Even with his improved play, Beckham is expected to relinquish his starting role upon Duffy's return. Upon the acquisition of defensive standout Adeiny Hechavarria, Beckham shifted over to second base.
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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