Wondering about Beckham

[steely712]

I have not heard much about Gordon Beckham since we drafted him, is there any chance that he might be able to play second next year when we move Alexei to SS? I remember seeing him play in college, and he kind of reminded me of Michael Young. I don't know if he is going to be that kind of player, but was just wondering if anyone had any thoughts.

[JermaineDye05]

Next year?

No, he won't be ready.

MAYBE he'll get a September call-up in 2009. I think the Sox are going to be very careful in developing Beckham, they don't want to bring him up too fast.

[EMachine10]

I would imagine they're breeding him for a 2010 arrival. I also think he'll spend his time at 2nd or even 3rd depending on how the club rounds out.

Edit: In fact, Beckham played 2b in yesterday's AFL game. I've been rather busy lately, so I can't tell you if he's been playing there the whole time.

[Jeff B]

Originally Posted by EMachine10

I would imagine they're breeding him for a 2010 arrival. I also think he'll spend his time at 2nd or even 3rd depending on how the club rounds out.

Edit: In fact, Beckham played 2b in yesterday's AFL game. I've been rather busy lately, so I can't tell you if he's been playing there the whole time.

No he hasn't, he's played 2nd a couple of times but mainly he's been playing SS.

[Stoky44]

I always get the feeling that our most people think our high draft picks are going to turn into great players and be good right from the start ala Evan Longoria, Ryan Howard, Frank Thomas, etc. It is great to see optimism about future players. I guess I just am either more negative or realistic, hopefully not the latter.

I just have a feeling this guy will be no better than Josh Fields, and hopefully better than Joe Borchard. I need it to be proven to me before I get excited, too many disappointments in the past.

I hope I am wrong and this guy turns in Alexei or TCQ.

[Craig Grebeck]

Originally Posted by EMachine10

I would imagine they're breeding him for a 2010 arrival. I also think he'll spend his time at 2nd or even 3rd depending on how the club rounds out.

Edit: In fact, Beckham played 2b in yesterday's AFL game. I've been rather busy lately, so I can't tell you if he's been playing there the whole time.

Which is only because he was added to the team too late due to his late signing for the Sox to ask for a "priority" spot.

Originally Posted by Stoky44

I always get the feeling that our most people think our high draft picks are going to turn into great players and be good right from the start ala Evan Longoria, Ryan Howard, Frank Thomas, etc. It is great to see optimism about future players. I guess I just am either more negative or realistic, hopefully not the latter.

I just have a feeling this guy will be no better than Josh Fields, and hopefully better than Joe Borchard. I need it to be proven to me before I get excited, too many disappointments in the past.

I hope I am wrong and this guy turns in Alexei or TCQ.

I'd be more optimistic than not about Gordon. Hasn't been overwhelmed and is coming off one of the best NCAA seasons in recent memory: .411/.519/.804 with 28 HR (in the SEC!). For a shortstop that's pretty fantastic. 54/30 BB/K ratio. Yikes.

Fields was good in college, but never THAT good.

[TheKittle]

Originally Posted by Craig Grebeck

Which is only because he was added to the team too late due to his late signing for the Sox to ask for a "priority" spot.


I'd be more optimistic than not about Gordon. Hasn't been overwhelmed and is coming off one of the best NCAA seasons in recent memory: .411/.519/.804 with 28 HR (in the SEC!). For a shortstop that's pretty fantastic. 54/30 BB/K ratio. Yikes.

Fields was good in college, but never THAT good.

College stats are so meaningless with the metal bat.

I think Beckham's future will be at 2nd. At best he's a solid everyday 2nd. But not an all star.

[EMachine10]

I like to think that he could produce something along the lines of what Troy Tulowitzki did in his breakout year (not this past season, but the year before). A more leveled off .290 - 20 or 25 - 100 isn't out of the question in my eyes.

Originally Posted by EMachine10

I like to think that he could produce something along the lines of what Troy Tulowitzki did in his breakout year (not this past season, but the year before). A more leveled off .290 - 20 or 25 - 100 isn't out of the question in my eyes.

In his first year? That would be on the high end, in my opinion.

[Daver]

Originally Posted by JermaineDye05

MAYBE he'll get a September call-up in 2009. I think the Sox are going to be very careful in developing Beckham, they don't want to bring him up too fast.

Unless Buddy Bell has made huge changes in player development he will advance as fast as he hits at any given level. The White Sox don't really have a priority for developing complete ballplayers.

[TheKittle]

Originally Posted by Daver

Unless Buddy Bell has made huge changes in player development he will advance as fast as he hits at any given level. The White Sox don't really have a priority for developing complete ballplayers.

You make a great point. The Sox have rush many of their prospects and they come up with so much hype and expectations, that when they fail, they don't know how to handle it.

[EMachine10]

Originally Posted by btrain929

In his first year? That would be on the high end, in my opinion.

No, no not in the first year. But I think that's where his career averages will flatten out. He could develop really good power and hit 30+, who knows, but I would take that line consistently after a few years of service.

If we're projecting a first year line, a .275, 20, 85 isn't out of reach, i don't think.

[Daver]

Carlos Lee couldn't play a position, Aaron Rowand played out of position his entire time here, Mike Caruso was a bust...

[khan]

Originally Posted by Daver

Carlos Lee couldn't play a position, Aaron Rowand played out of position his entire time here, Mike Caruso was a bust...

...Josh Fields can't hit for average or catch a cold, Danny Richar never learned to hit, Boone Logan was rushed from ROOKIE BALL to the bigs...

[Craig Grebeck]

Originally Posted by khan

...Josh Fields can't hit for average or catch a cold, Danny Richar never learned to hit, PERIOD, Boone Logan was rushed from ROOKIE BALL to the bigs...

Uhhh...Danny Richar was not with us that long. Boone was rushed but showed flashes of talent.

Daver, I understand your concern, but don't quite get the comparison to Beckham. Gordon is not Fields, he's not Caruso, Lee, Rowand, or anyone else. He's a solid ballplayer. I don't understand the negativity surrounding him. All reports say Gordon is a quality fielder with above average range and average hands. If anything, they'll have to shift him to 2B. Big deal.

Yes, metal bats inflate statistics, but those numbers are great compared to guys using metal bats. He's also holding his own in the AFL and did well in his minor league debut.

AND he led the Cape Cod League in HR last summer.