2008’s top pick Tim Beckham will miss most of 2014 season.
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Tim Beckham just can’t catch a break.
According to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times, Beckham tore the ACL in his right knee and will miss a majority of the 2014 season. The injury occurred during a workout session.
This is the second consecutive year a Rays infield prospect has torn his ACL. Shortstop Hak-Ju Lee tore the ACL in his left knee after a collision at second base and missed the rest of the season.
Beckham was only 18 years old when he was drafted with the first overall pick in the 2008 MLB Draft. He struggled to live up to the lofty expectations of being the first overall pick, playing a total of six years in the minor leagues.
In six minor league seasons, Beckham batted .266/.332/.381 with 34 home runs, 283 RBI and 81 stolen bases. Beckham was always young for the leagues he played in, but his struggles forced him to repeat AA and AAA.
On September 17, 2013, Beckham was finally recalled from the minor leagues. He appeared in five games, totaling three hits in seven at bats.