Tim Beckham

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Timothy Beckham (born January 27, 1990 in Griffin, Georgia) is a baseball shortstop. He was the first overall selection of the 2008 MLB Draft by the Tampa Bay Rays.

Contents

[edit] Athletic profile

Beckham was rated by scouting services such as Baseball America as the top high school baseball prospect in the nation[1] . Beckham is described as a potential five tool player at the Major League level. Beckham is currently listed as a shortstop and will likely play the position at the next level. Beckham runs the 60 yard dash in an incredibly fast 6.35 seconds, and bench presses 280lbs. He stands 6'1" and weighs 190lbs[2].

[edit] Early years

Tim, the youngest son of Jimmy and Ella Beckham grew up in Griffin, Georgia. During his younger years Tim was highly involved in the sports of football, basketball, and baseball. However, he quit baseball while in grade school to focus on football and basketball. Tim, encouraged by his older brothers Jeremy and Steven, got back into baseball, and began to excel. Jeremy intoduced Tim to former Major Leaguer, and summer baseball coach Anthony Dye. Dye realized the potential Tim possessed, and worked to bring it out through thorough fielding and hitting work. Tim ended up starting shortstop for the Griffin JV baseball team as an eighth grader, and the varsity team at Griffin High School in 2005 as a freshman[3].

[edit] High school years

[edit] Freshman year

Beckham played right field, second base, and third base before settling in at the shorstop position his freshman year on the Griffin High varsity team. Beckham batted seventh in the batting order and hit four home runs on the season[4].

[edit] Sophomore year

On his very first at bat in 2006 as a sophomore, Beckham crushed a home run. It was a sign of things to come. For the season he batted .405 including five home runs, three triples and six doubles. He also added 22 RBIs and stole 15 bases[5].

[edit] Junior year

During his junior season at Griffin, Tim batted .512, including nine doubles, six triples, and six home runs. He also added 39 RBIs and stole 20 bases[6]. 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 of 2007, Beckham took home the MVP Honors at the Aflac Classic in San Diego, California. Beckham concluded the summer of 2007 having batted .409, including nine home runs, 15 doubles, eight triples, and 32 stolen bases, against the best competition in America.

[edit] Senior year

Beckham committed to the University of Southern California during his senior year[7], 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[8].

[edit] References

  1. ^ Baseball America Top Prospects
  2. ^ MiLB.com Player Profile: Tim Beckham
  3. ^ Baseball America Top Prospects
  4. ^ Max Preps: Tim Beckham
  5. ^ Max Preps: Tim Beckham
  6. ^ Baseball America Top Prospects
  7. ^ Crazy Summer Benefits Beckham
  8. ^ Baseball Digest Daily

[edit] External links

v • d • e
Major League Baseball number one overall draft picks

Monday (1965) • Chilcott (1966) • Blomberg (1967) • Foli (1968) • Burroughs (1969) • Ivie (1970) • Goodwin (1971) • Roberts (1972) • Clyde (1973) • Almon (1974) • Goodwin (1975) • Bannister (1976) • Baines (1977) • Horner (1978) • Chambers (1979) • Strawberry (1980) • Moore (1981) • Dunston (1982) • Belcher (1983) • Abner (1984) • Surhoff (1985) • King (1986) • Griffey, Jr. (1987) • Benes (1988) • McDonald (1989) • Jones (1990) • Taylor (1991) • Nevin (1992) • Rodriguez (1993) • Wilson (1994) • Erstad (1995) • Benson (1996) • Anderson (1997) • Burrell (1998) • Hamilton (1999) • González (2000) • Mauer (2001) • Bullington (2002) • Young (2003) • Bush (2004) • Upton (2005) • Hochevar (2006) • Price (2007) • Beckham (2008)
Preceded by
David Price		 First overall pick in the MLB Entry Draft
2008		 Succeeded by
T.B.A.