Former first round pick finally coming into his own in 2017.
Go back and re-read that headline. I’ll wait.
“All-time” Ray great probably stands out to you the most, am I right? Now, stop the eye-rolling and hear me out because I’m gonna throw some stats and names at you that back up what I’m claiming.
Yes, Tim Beckham could finish the 2017 season with the single best season by a shortstop in team history. Let me emphasize could, one more time.
Do You Remember?
2015 – Asdrubal Cabrera (now with the Mets) hit 15 home runs, drove in 58 and had a slash of .265/.315/.430 with an OPS of .744. Impressive numbers, for sure. Most of that production happened in the second half of the year.
2003 – Julio Lugo was a staple on the Devil Rays infield for a few years. In ’03 he put together maybe one of the best years of his career. He hit 15 bombs and drove in 53 while hitting .275/.333/.427 and swiping 10 bases.
2009 – Jason Bartlett spent three seasons in Tampa Bay from 2008-2010. Most fans consider him to be the best shortstop the team has ever had. The biggest case could be that he’s the only shortstop to make an All-Star roster with the Rays. That or his .320 batting avg in his All-Star season of 2009 is the highest single-season avg in team history.
I could throw out another name like Brendan Harris and his solid 2007 campaign. But the three I’ve listed were more household names.
The Real Beckham Has Finally Stood Up.
In 2017, thanks in large part to a delayed return from Matt Duffy, Beckham has been the everyday shortstop for the Rays. Some questioned the move with the likes of Daniel Robertson on the brink of being “MLB-ready.” Well, “D-Rob” has shown flashes in the field that Beckham hasn’t. At the plate, however, Beckham has made himself indispensable. Through 52 games, he’s already set a career-high in hits and total bases and is on pace to have a career slash, currently hitting .267/.307/.436 with an OPS of .743.
Drafted in the first round back in 2008 – the Rays have never given up on the versatile infielder who can and has played every infield position in his career, sans catcher. While he’s never been considered “lock down” at any one position, Beckham has proven he can hold his own in the field. This year, it’s been his offense that has turned heads. His home run in Friday night’s loss to Seattle tied a career-high he set in 2015 in exactly 30 more games.
When Duffy returns, it’s unsure how things will play out for Beckham. No decisions have been made or even eluded to. The sure thing remains – Beckham is valuable. With an option remaining, he could be sent down but that’s unlikely. His bat has proven to be a commodity and Kevin Cash will no doubt get him at-bats however he can.
So yes, fans – Tim Beckham could finish the season, statistically at least, as the best shortstop in franchise history. Still rolling those eyes? That’s the beauty of numbers, folks. They rarely tell a lie.
