Our First Look at Tim Beckham

by R.J. Anderson on May 26, 2008 12:32 PM EDT

MLB.com has posted their draft reports, and thankfully they have video of the enigma known as Tim Beckham. Here's the scouting report:

A bonafide five-tool player at a premium position, there's a reason why Beckham is at or near the top of Draft lists everywhere. He's got tools galore, with some idea of how to use them. He'll need to iron out some things mechanically and fundamentally, but he's got the ability and potential to hit, hit for power, steal bases and stay at shortstop at the big-league level.

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Things I noticed:

1. He’s fast.
2. Strong arm.
3. His swing looks odd. He’s gonna get beat on harder stuff I think.

"I've seen many, many blue skies turn gray, but the sun will eventually return, and so will I. So will I." - Carlos Pena

by R.J. Anderson on May 26, 2008 12:37 PM EDT reply actions

Which is why

I’d pick Posey….

Russell Martin Ver. 1.2

by Jacob Larsen on May 26, 2008 1:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Posey > Pedro/Beck? Really?

"I've seen many, many blue skies turn gray, but the sun will eventually return, and so will I. So will I." - Carlos Pena

by R.J. Anderson on May 26, 2008 1:37 PM EDT up reply actions

Klaw loves Posey...

I just worry that if you pass on Beck and Alvarez, you may miss out on Hanley/Rollins or Manny/Braun. Even id Posey ends up being as good as Russ Martin, I’d rather have any of those other 4 players.

by rglass44 on May 26, 2008 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions

But what are each player’s potential of reaching those comps? I guess T. Beckham could be a Hanley or Rollins, but couldn’t he also very easily be a Matt Bush or Chris Nelson? That’s what bothers me about Beckham. Too much projection, too many variables at this point.

My order of preference so far is 1) Alvarez 2) Posey 3) T Beckham. Seems to me the Rays might like Alvarez more than the other two, just maybe not enough to justify a significantly higher cost as well as a drawn-out negotiation to get there. If they offer Alvarez a Price-like deal +5% or something like that and he/Boras says no, then I can’t really fault them for saying ‘Screw you, we’ll take Posey’. I think I could be happy with any of the three, though.

by homeboogie on May 26, 2008 3:08 PM EDT up reply actions

3. His swing looks odd.

Agreed, his bat speed looks pretty good though. From a very untrained eye, it looks like his weight transfer is off which causes his swing to be all hands. He seems to just throw his hands at the ball because his hips are not powering his swing. I may be completely wrong, but from watching these three ABs a few times it seems like that may be part of the problem.

by rglass44 on May 26, 2008 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Toby Hall?

Longlorious.

by RATW on May 26, 2008 11:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Pedro Alvarez for #1 pick

Unite the Commodore teammates!

Vote Pedro/Price back in!

by Cory Alexander on May 26, 2008 2:05 PM EDT reply actions

Pedro for #1

I think the Rays will try to sign Pedro if he is their choice to a deal before they draft him. If they can’t get that done then they will go to choice #2 which I expect will be Posey. When you have the #1 pick you can sign the guy ahead of time and in Pedro’s case this is very important, I’m pretty sure they want to move him thru the system for end of ‘09 or beginning of ‘10 at the latest but if he can’t play right away then his value to us is greatly reduced. So I think it will be obvious, we sign Pedro ahead of time or he won’t be the pick for us at all!

SC raysfan

by SC raysfan on May 26, 2008 6:57 PM EDT reply actions