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Rays Will Select Tim Beckham

Rutgers-athletics-logo_tiny by Kevin Gengler on

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   0 recs

i was hoping for posey

9 = 8

by websterjtc on Jun 5, 2008 10:35 AM EDT   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 to parent up   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 to parent up   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 to parent up   0 recs

when was the last time that happened? Brazzleton? Townsend?

9 = 8

by websterjtc on Jun 5, 2008 10:53 AM EDT to parent up   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 to parent up   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 to parent up   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 to parent up   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 to parent up   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   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 to parent up   0 recs

hope not

9 = 8

by websterjtc on Jun 5, 2008 10:53 AM EDT to parent up   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   0 recs

So where does Posey fall to? San Fran?

9 = 8

by websterjtc on Jun 5, 2008 10:54 AM EDT   0 recs

BA says Florida

Tools Whore

Sign Bonds!

by Tyler on Jun 5, 2008 11:51 AM EDT to parent up   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   0 recs

haha

9 = 8

by websterjtc on Jun 5, 2008 11:02 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Well

For every full season played he averaged 20 hr, 34 2b , 82 rbi, and scored 71 runs. I would glady take that type of production out of a catcher for 6-7 years if possible.

Devil Rays World Series 2009

by Japhei on Jun 5, 2008 11:07 AM EDT to parent up   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 to parent up   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 to parent up   0 recs

that’s odd. hs superstars are hardly ever patient.

9 = 8

by websterjtc on Jun 5, 2008 11:13 AM EDT to parent up   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 to parent up   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 to parent up   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 to parent up   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 to parent up   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 to parent up   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 to parent up   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 to parent up   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 to parent up   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 to parent up   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 to parent up   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 to parent up   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 to parent up   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 to parent up   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 to parent up   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 to parent up   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 to parent up   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 to parent up   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 to parent up   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 to parent up   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 to parent up   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 to parent up   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 to parent up   0 recs

Take a look at Justin.

by matthan on Jun 5, 2008 11:49 AM EDT to parent up   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 to parent up   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 to parent up   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 to parent up   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 to parent up   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 to parent up   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 to parent up   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 to parent up   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 to parent up   0 recs

Again look at Justin Upton and what the D-Backs did.

by matthan on Jun 5, 2008 12:02 PM EDT to parent up   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 to parent up   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 to parent up   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 to parent up   0 recs

exactly!

That may be what solves our RF problem that so many people talk about.

by rglass44 on Jun 5, 2008 11:47 AM EDT to parent up   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