Tim Beckham

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. He signed with the Rays on June 19 and got a signing bonus of $6.15 million. He has played with the Princeton Devil Rays of the Appalachian League and the Hudson Valley Renegades.

Athletic profile

Beckham was rated by publications such as "Baseball America" as the top high school baseball prospect in the nation [ [http://prospectsplus.baseballamerica.com/ Baseball America Top Prospects] ] . 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 [ [http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/events/draft_report/y2008/index.jsp?mc=tbeckham MiLB.com Player Profile: Tim Beckham] ] .

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 Stephen, got back into baseball, and began to excel. Jeremy introduced Tim to 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 [ [http://prospectsplus.baseballamerica.com/ Baseball America Top Prospects] ] .

High school years

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 [ [http://www.maxpreps.com/FanPages/Content/Article.mxp/ArticleID-f032a6ea-5eb7-4c90-b770-3fb106051679 Max Preps: Tim Beckham] ] .

ophomore 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 [ [http://www.maxpreps.com/FanPages/Content/Article.mxp/ArticleID-f032a6ea-5eb7-4c90-b770-3fb106051679 Max Preps: Tim Beckham] ] .

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 [ [http://prospectsplus.baseballamerica.com/ Baseball America Top Prospects] ] . 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 theAflac 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.

enior year

Beckham committed to the University of Southern California during his senior year [ [http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/highschool/features/265333.html Crazy Summer Benefits Beckham] ] , 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 [ [http://blog.baseballdigestdaily.com/blog/_archives/2008/5/5/3676290.html Baseball Digest Daily] ] .

References

External links

* [http://www.TimBeckham.com TimBeckham.com]
* [http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/events/draft_report/y2008/index.jsp?mc=tbeckham MiLB.com Player Profile: Tim Beckham]
* [http://prospectsplus.baseballamerica.com/ Baseball America Top Prospects]
* [http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/highschool/features/265333.html Crazy Summer Benefits Beckham]
* [http://blog.baseballdigestdaily.com/blog/_archives/2008/5/5/3676290.html Baseball Digest Daily]
* [http://www.maxpreps.com/FanPages/Content/Article.mxp/ArticleID-f032a6ea-5eb7-4c90-b770-3fb106051679 Max Preps: Tim Beckham]