Tampa Bay Rays did well to get Jalen Beeks

The Tampa Bay Rays managed to turn $3 million over a year and a half into a solid pitching prospect in Jalen Beek.

Nathan Eovaldi was a long term project when he was signed by the Tampa Bay Rays. He had undergone Tommy John surgery, and was going to miss the 2017 campaign. The hope for the Rays was that, if they were not able to contend, that Eovaldi would become a viable asset, someone that they could turn into a piece for the future.

The Rays did exactly that in trading Eovaldi to the Red Sox for Jalen Beeks. Based on Beeks’ major league statistics, this would not appear to be a win for Tampa Bay. In his two appearances at the major league level, Beeks has allowed nine runs on 11 hits and four walks over his 6.1 innings. Those are hardly the numbers that would lead anyone to think that Beeks would be a potentially be a key piece for the future.

However, Beeks has been outright dominant at AAA this season. In his 87.1 innings of work in Pawtucket, he has produced a 2.89 ERA and a 1.088 WHiP, striking out 117 batters with only 25 walks. This continues his excellent performance at AA last season, when he posted a 2.19 ERA and a 1.155 WHiP before his promotion to AAA.

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Beeks does  have a bit of a history of struggling at a new level before adapting. That happened with his first taste of AA action in 2016, and again when he was initially promoted to AAA in 2017. However, in his second time through the level, he performed much better, showing adaptability and a willingness to adjust.

He is also far more than his stature would seemingly indicate. Standing at 5’11” and 195 pounds, Beeks is not an imposing figure. However, he has a somewhat deceptive high 3/4 arm slot from the left side, and a four pitch arsenal. Over the past two years, he taught himself a cutter and a curve to add to what is, based on velocity, an average fastball and a decent changeup. Again, he has been more than the sum of his parts would indicate.

What Beeks does well is use his deceptive delivery to his advantage. He hides the ball well, allowing that seemingly average velocity to explode on a batter. In fact, that fastball has been a major part of his strikeouts in the minors, with batters seemingly confused by the pitch. This is also evidenced by his proclivity to get called third strikes, especially since the introduction of his cutter.

Beeks also gives the Rays another look for their young pitching staff. Jose De Leon and Brent Honeywell, both of whom should be healthy and ready to contribute by the middle of next year, are right handed, as is Jake Faria. Blake Snell is a lefty, but with a more traditional arm slot. Beeks would be a different look in the rotation.

Given his stuff and track record, it is difficult to think of him as a front of the rotation arm. However, Jalen Beeks could develop into a solid third starter, the type of pitcher who can dominate on occasion. If so, the Tampa Bay Rays more than got their money’s worth from their investment in Nathan Eovaldi.