Rays Will Select Tim Beckham
by Kevin Gengler on Jun 5, 2008 10:22 AM EDT
97 comments
Marc Topkin reporting:
The Rays will take Griffin (Ga.) High SS Tim Beckham with the top pick in today's draft.
The Rays on Wednesday said they had narrowed the field to Beckham and Florida State catcher Buster Posey.
Here is what Rays scouting director R.J. Harrison said about Beckham at last week's media session:
"A really good player at a premium position. Middle of the field player, very good athlete, an advanced bat, had a real good awareness on the field. He plays the game with a great deal of enthusiasm, and then when you spend time with him away from the field, he's the same guy. He's a fun guy to be around.''
The draft starts at 2 p.m. and Rays officials will discuss the decision shortly after that. One question is likely to be about rumors, reported by Baseball Prospectus and other web sites, that Posey was seeking a package of $12-million.
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Welcome to the org Tim!
"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 Jun 5, 2008 10:26 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
but TB sounds good for TB….i just hope that if money was the difference, the rays didn’t value Buster much more
9 = 8
by websterjtc on Jun 5, 2008 10:37 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Reports said
That the scouts were leaning towards Beckham, and the rest of the front office leaned towards Posey, so from what I understand there was definitely a debate taking place over the pick.
In any case, I think everyone viewed the decision as a close, tough one to make.
by Patrick L. Kennedy on Jun 5, 2008 10:47 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The scouts won last time that happened.
"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 Jun 5, 2008 10:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
when was the last time that happened? Brazzleton? Townsend?
9 = 8
by websterjtc on Jun 5, 2008 10:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Longoria.
"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 Jun 5, 2008 10:55 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No
Everyone viewed Braz as a legit top-5 pick. No one view Wade as a first rounder when we drafted him. The scouts want McCutchen, the front office (there are some reports that say Namoli others say Stu made the pick, we’ll never know) demanded we take Townsend who signed quickly and significantly under slot.
Tools Whore
Sign Bonds!
by Tyler on Jun 5, 2008 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
There was some talk that the new FO wanted Hansen.
"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 Jun 5, 2008 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The "loser" had Lincecum
Really no way to go wrong there.
by Patrick L. Kennedy on Jun 5, 2008 10:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
seems weird that the player taken #1 overall would have “swing issues,” doesn’t it?
9 = 8
by websterjtc on Jun 5, 2008 10:44 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
It probably won’t be an issue.
"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 Jun 5, 2008 10:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Per his Dad...
First ballot HOF!
I like this pick if they feel he is the top talent in the draft, and not the easiest to sign. They don’t have a history w/ having signability issues (other than Tex), so I doubt that is a concern. The thing I love about this pick, though, is if it takes Beckham 4-5 years to be ready to contribute at the big level, that would give the Rays a huge spark in the 2012-2013 season when we are in the last year or so of a lot of these young guys current deals. This would allow us to either resign them, if possible, or deal them to restock and build around Becks.
by rglass44 on Jun 5, 2008 10:49 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
So where does Posey fall to? San Fran?
9 = 8
by websterjtc on Jun 5, 2008 10:54 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
BA says Florida
Tools Whore
Sign Bonds!
by Tyler on Jun 5, 2008 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I know this sounds nuts
We have Jason Bartett and Reid Brignac at SS correct. Is one of them going to move to 2b when Aki’s contract is up? Who takes over at the leadoff spot ? Is it Beckham in 2010-2011?
I understand we are a little thin at shortstop and Zobrist is not a starter on any team as far as im concerned.
Is he our Derek Jeter of the future?
I would of preferred Posey he seemed like a young Mike Lieberthal.
Devil Rays World Series 2009
by Japhei on Jun 5, 2008 10:56 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Why the hell would you prefer Mike Lieberthal?
by rglass44 on Jun 5, 2008 11:01 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He asked if Becks was our DJ
Then he said he’d rather have Mike Lieberthal. Your full season stats are per 162 games. He never played more than 145, and he played more than 100 7 times. His career OPS+ is 101. So he is just over league average. Yes he was a two-time All Star, but only one was deserved. He had 4 seasons where he was better than league average.
So, no I would prefer a better player than Mike Lieberthal w/ 1:1. There have been worse, but I’d like better.
by rglass44 on Jun 5, 2008 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Brignac has a .314 OBP in AAA.
No thanks.
by P Brady on Jun 5, 2008 11:09 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Beckham is apparently a patient hitter.
"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 Jun 5, 2008 11:10 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
that’s odd. hs superstars are hardly ever patient.
9 = 8
by websterjtc on Jun 5, 2008 11:13 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
B.J. was.
"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 Jun 5, 2008 11:15 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
In a hitters park
Who produces an out nearly 70% of the time.
"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 Jun 5, 2008 11:15 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
no thanks?
for a SS with stellar defense and power potential?
i say thank you very much!
by davidsmarch on Jun 5, 2008 11:19 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Who'll be at most a high doubles hitter and doesn't no how to take a walk?
No thanks.
by P Brady on Jun 5, 2008 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
A good defender at SS
that hits 280 w/ doubles power is still a very good player. Even if he doesn’t draw walks.
by rglass44 on Jun 5, 2008 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Let's say he improves a bit and goes to the trop, The place with the least runs in the entire MLB:
He’s hitting .276/.322/.469
Let’s say that converts to…
.260/.305/.450
Are you really gonna take that from a starting SS?
by P Brady on Jun 5, 2008 11:44 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
yeah i will
since he’ll hit 20hr’s and 80rbi, and make minimal errors. those are all-star numbers out of a SS.
by davidsmarch on Jun 5, 2008 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Is he going to get those in the fantasy world where the trop is a hitters park?
by P Brady on Jun 5, 2008 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
So, he's the Delmon Young of shortstops?
"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 Jun 5, 2008 11:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
why does everyone assume that when Aki's contract is up that we won't re-sign him?
by davidsmarch on Jun 5, 2008 11:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not used to re-signing people?
"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 Jun 5, 2008 11:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well
Someone between Bartlett, Brignac, and Aki has to go by next year. And then one of them will have to go again when Beckham makes it in a few years. Of course we may move Beckham, but I’d really really prefer not to. Unless it is to 2b. Frankly I think the best bet may be to move Brignac to 2b and keep Bartlett at short.
by matthan on Jun 5, 2008 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
if i have a choice
of:
SS: Barltett
2B: Brignac
or
SS: Brignac
2B: Aki
i’m taking the later pair.
by davidsmarch on Jun 5, 2008 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thats fine too
But I think when Beckham moves up that would be the easiest transition…to replace Bartlett with Beckham. If we have Brignac at short and Aki at second then what do we do with Beckham? At that point moving Brignac wouldn’t be the best idea, so would we have Beckham play 2b? Or RF? It just seems that keeping Brignac at short would force Beckham to switch positions ASAP.
by matthan on Jun 5, 2008 11:26 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And...
If we are going to move Beckham to the outfield next year then we might as well taken Alvarez and moved him to the OF. Just my two cents.
by matthan on Jun 5, 2008 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Make that 4 cents
Alvarez won’t be that great in the OF or even there for long…
His body type puts his future at 1B
by Jacob Larsen on Jun 5, 2008 12:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
nothing we do forces anyone to switch positions asap
you’re talking about 4 to 5 years down the road. Aki will be 34 at that point, who knows if he’s still even playing with us 4 years down the road.
you talk of “replacing bartless with beckham”, when there is just no way to predict if beckham will 1. make it to the majors 2. stay a ss.
right now, no one needs to move anywhere. if in 4 years or so, we have too many good middle infielders, i’ll count my lucky stars, and say a hallelujah, b/c we will be sitting pretty.
by davidsmarch on Jun 5, 2008 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
We don’t want a repeat of the BJ Upton scenario. If Beckham is going to change positions he needs to do it soon so he can learn it and grow in it prior to reaching the majors. You have to plan ahead. You can’t just let Beckham grow up as a SS hit AAA and be blocked by Brignac and then determine that he needs to change positions. That is just not smart planning. You have to forecast the future in some way now.
by matthan on Jun 5, 2008 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm also afraid
That we are going to be on the cusp of the world series the next few years, but missing one key bat (especially in RF). And we are going to be watching Pedro Alvarez raking in the majors and Posey playing great while Beckham is sitting in the minors growing up.
by matthan on Jun 5, 2008 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The impact bat we are missing
is in High A right now. In a few years he will be in RF or CF. The OF of Upton, CC, and DJ will be the best in the League.
Beckham will be part of the second wave of talent that starts w/ Jennings and ends w/ Becks, Hellickson, and whoever else we pick up in the draft this year and next (Dykstra?).
by rglass44 on Jun 5, 2008 11:44 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
no, that is just plain wrong, you are just plain wrong,
you don’t move a player from SS the year they are drafted b/c you feel they might be blocked in the majors. and you don’t move a player that has made it to AAA at one position b/c you are drafting a player who may or may not make it to the majors, and may or may not even be playing the same position by the time he gets there.
by davidsmarch on Jun 5, 2008 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Then you force players to learn new positions in the majors. That isn’t bright. The fact is one of either Brignac or Beckham will have to move. Unless of course you wish to trade them. The earlier you move either the better it will be for them. Forcing a player to switch positions late in the game ends up holding them back. See the guy in the Pads system right now. Look how bad it screwed up BJ Upton.
by matthan on Jun 5, 2008 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m also not implying that one has to move right this second. This just requires foresight. If Beckham is playing short in AAA in a couple years and Brignac is playing short in MLB at that same time we will have a major problem. The switch has to come way before that. It is much riskier switching Brignac since we have no idea if Beckham can play short. But either way it needs to be done prior to Beckham getting close.
by matthan on Jun 5, 2008 11:44 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Brignac is roughly 5 years ahead in development that Beckham.
We don’t have to move anyone.
by P Brady on Jun 5, 2008 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
How badly did it screw up Upton?
He seems to be growing into one of the best CF in baseball. His problem also wasn’t being blocked, it was trying to play a position he wasn’t good at. HUGE difference.
by rglass44 on Jun 5, 2008 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
A few years later, the Rays REALLY SCREWED Upton. It was one of the bigger gaffes of this century. ...It isn’t a matter of being blocked or not being good enough for a position. None of us can tell if Beckham will be a good shortstop or not. The point is that you don’t want to stunt development by forcing a player to switch positions really late in the game.
by matthan on Jun 5, 2008 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Stunted his growth. Probably cost him millions upon millions due to lost ML service time.
by matthan on Jun 5, 2008 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Don't think so...
If he’s got a good agent and we all know people know who Upton is(he’s in the top 20 in OF voting for the ASG)...he’s not losing any money.
by Jacob Larsen on Jun 5, 2008 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
he doesn't look screwed to me...
talk about hyperbole? bigger gaffe’s of the century? wow, just wow.
by davidsmarch on Jun 5, 2008 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
B.J.'s OPS is higher than Justin's.
"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 Jun 5, 2008 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
BJ is also a lot older. Justin is sticking in the majors at an age BJ couldn’t because BJ was playing the wrong position. Arizona MOVED Justin early on because they had the foresight to do so.
by matthan on Jun 5, 2008 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Also I’m not comparing BJ to Justin. This isn’t a matter of who is better. This is a matter of Arizona moving Justin so he is up and sticking in the majors at an earlier age compared to what the Rays did with BJ.
by matthan on Jun 5, 2008 11:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
right,
and his value is significantly less then it would have been if he could have stuck at SS. you have to give the guy a chance to play that position b/c it would be such a boon, making the CF transition is easy.
by davidsmarch on Jun 5, 2008 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If he could play SS you would have a point. He couldn’t play SS. Forcing him to play infield caused BJ problems and hurt the Rays.
by matthan on Jun 5, 2008 11:55 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
he was drafted as a SS,
and played there his whole minor league career. his error problems were seen as correctable, so why would they move him?
by davidsmarch on Jun 5, 2008 11:56 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The only people on this planet that thought they were correctable were the Rays after his first ML stint. He should have been moved prior to that considering how bad he was at short. But he 100% no questions about it should have been moved after his first ML stint.
by matthan on Jun 5, 2008 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
he was also 19 after his first ML stint,
you really think they he reached his ceiling and defensive maturity level at 19? come on dude.
by davidsmarch on Jun 5, 2008 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Again look at Justin Upton and what the D-Backs did.
by matthan on Jun 5, 2008 12:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I am glad Beej was in the minors for so long…this way when he leaves, it will be after his prime, and not before it.
9 = 8
by websterjtc on Jun 5, 2008 12:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Biggest gaffe of the century is Kaz for V-Zam until further notice.
by P Brady on Jun 5, 2008 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
okay that wins. I just don’t like it when organizations screw with the development of players.
by matthan on Jun 5, 2008 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
this is ridiculous,
you DO NOT move a premium position player b/c they MIGHT be blocked up supplanted FOUR YEARS FROM NOW. what happens if Brignac can’t handle SS in the majors and ends up moving in the next few years? or if Beckham can’t handle SS in the minors, and moves too? fine, all works out.
but what happens if they both do well, and Beckham gets ML ready and Brignac is entrenched in SS, well then, we have the makings of a blockbuster trade on our hands that will reward us for our patience and foresight…
by davidsmarch on Jun 5, 2008 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Like I said I’m nto saying you move either player tomorrow or the next day. You have to make a determination at some point. You HAVE to avoid the BJ Upton scenario and the Chase Headley scenario. Both of those scenarios hurt the player and hurt the team.
by matthan on Jun 5, 2008 11:56 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
players make it to the majors all the time,
only to realize they can’t play the position they’ve always played. it happens much more often then just Upton and Headley. you know what they do? well if they’re good they transition to another position and continue their career. if they can’t transition, they they never could have played that position in the first place and are doomed to being heretofore known as utility man.
by davidsmarch on Jun 5, 2008 11:59 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
So what?
Upton lost at least 1 probably 2 years of service time and Headley is currently losing 1 because the organization lacked the foresight to make the move they ended up making. If the Pads moved Headley a half a season or a season earlier when it was obvious Kouz was their 3b then Headley would be in the majors right now.
by matthan on Jun 5, 2008 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
...You lose a season making a switch anyway.
by P Brady on Jun 5, 2008 12:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No you don’t. Not if it is done prior to his bat being ready. If Headley switched last year he would be in the majors right this moment.
by matthan on Jun 5, 2008 12:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
...No he wouldn't. He would have lost last year because he'd have focused more on the switch.
by P Brady on Jun 5, 2008 12:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I totally disagree. I think a player can learn a new position and become a better hitter at the same time. Take a look at Upton last year, he moved to center and he seemed to hit okay. That wasn’t a “lost” year for him.
by matthan on Jun 5, 2008 12:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yes, but he had already fixed his swing at that point.
by P Brady on Jun 5, 2008 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
We can agree to disagree. I think what is holding Headley back is the position change. If it happened a year earlier I think he would be in the majors right now.
by matthan on Jun 5, 2008 12:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The decision regarding Beckham is at least 1 to 2 years away. The decision regarding Brignac HAS ALREADY BEEN MADE. They’ve decided to get rid of Barlett, keep Aki, and put Brignac at short. If they wanted to keep Bartlett then they would have already moved Brignac to second so he would be ready NEXT year. The problem lies is in a year the Rays decide to keep Bartlett and Brignac has no where to go and has to make a switch at the last second.
by matthan on Jun 5, 2008 12:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
it seems you have never heard of this new concept
it’s called “the trade”. see, when one team has an abundance of players at one position, they can trade them to fill in their weakness at another position. it works great! teams do it all the time!
by davidsmarch on Jun 5, 2008 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
maybe,
but all i read is “who will play 2b when Aki’s contract is up” “let’s move __ to 2b” “blah blah blah”, no one seems to propose the most obvious person to play 2b, that being akinora iwamora.
by davidsmarch on Jun 5, 2008 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
There is a very small percent chance of both Brignac and Beckham staying at short. One is going to have to move eventually.
by matthan on Jun 5, 2008 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
DRAFT THREAD UP
"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 Jun 5, 2008 12:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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