Baltimore Orioles: Tim Beckham capitalizing on fresh start, new role

Now batting leadoff for the Baltimore Orioles, Tim Beckham looks less like a draft bust and more like a former number-one pick again.

When the Baltimore Orioles acquired shortstop Tim Beckham from the Tampa Bay Rays on trade deadline day, there were more than a few head-scratches and arched eyebrows. Nearly five games out of a playoff spot on July 31, the O’s seemed a likely candidate to sell, perhaps even dealing closer Zach Britton to one of the numerous clubs in search of bullpen help.

Instead, Baltimore added a couple odds and ends in hopes of making an improbable run down the stretch. They acquired rental starter Jeremy Hellickson from the Phillies along with Beckham, who had been a thoroughly disappointing former number-one overall draft pick to that point. Many pundits and fans questioned the rationale, but right now GM Dan Duquette is looking like a bit of a genius.

Not only are the Orioles back to within just two games of a Wild Card berth, Beckham has delivered a performance befitting his draft position pedigree since arriving in Baltimore. In 24 games with the O’s, the 27-year-old is slashing a commanding .396/.413/.698 over 109 plate appearances. Of his 42 hits, 18 have gone for extra bases, including 10 doubles, two triples and six homers. He’s knocked in 17 runs as well.

That’s admittedly a small sample size, but even the Orioles themselves probably didn’t expect Beckham to hit so well over any 24-game span after joining the team. His previous results at the major league level haven’t exactly been compelling.

From his 2013 debut through 2016, Beckham slashed .238/.288/.431 with 14 home runs and 54 RBI in 151 games for the Rays. This season began much the same, as Beckham hit .259/.314/.407 with 12 long balls and 36 RBI in 87 contests before the trade.

People often like to play the “change of scenery” card when attempting to explain a player’s revival following a move. But perhaps there is something to that effect going on here. Buck Showalter certainly seems to think so. The skipper told The Baltimore Sun,

"“Obviously, he’s been great in a short sampling. He’s fit in pretty seamlessly. You can tell he wants to take advantage of this fresh start with some people that he knows we’re in need of what he brings.”"

Beckham is no stranger to the AL East, of course, so he’s already familiar with many of his new teammates and the opponents he’ll be facing regularly. Perhaps he also feels a bit of the weight from that “former number-one pick” label lifted off his shoulders now that he’s away from the organization that drafted him.

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A new role in the lineup could also play a factor. Beckham has hit in the leadoff spot in each of his last 15 games. He’s thrived there, batting .338/.356/.592 with three homers and 11 RBI in 73 plate appearances. Beckham had appeared in the top slot in the batting order only six times with the Rays this year, and just seven times before that.

As Jon Meoli of the The Baltimore Sun points out, Beckham’s free-swinging approach (5.9 percent walk rate, 28.5 percent strikeout rate) has paid dividends leading off. It has also allowed Adam Jones to move down to the cleanup spot, where he’s slashed .362/.373/.638 with four home runs and 10 RBI over his last 14 games.

Beckham’s hot hitting also makes the six errors he’s committed in the field more digestible. Defense has never been his strong suit, as he’s generated -1 DRS (defensive runs saved) and a -1.1 UZR/150 in his career at shortstop.

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It’s unlikely Beckham will maintain this level of production for the long haul, but he’s still young and under team control through 2020, meaning the Orioles have the ability to find out if he can be part of their long-term future. J.J. Hardy, who Beckham is currently subbing for, has a 2018 option that won’t vest due to his injuries. It will be interesting to see what decisions the O’s make when the veteran returns next month, and then in the offseason.