Two days after the debut of top Pirate prospect Andrew McCutchen, the White Sox called up a doozie of their own. Gordon Beckham, now the fourth player from the class of 2008 to make it to the majors, didn’t have the success that the new everyday Pirate outfielder did, but that doesn’t mean it won’t be common to see Beckham in the lineup. The White Sox, besides Paul Konerko, field a completely different infield from last year’s division champion squad. General Manager Ken Williams could also lose Jermaine Dye, Octavio Dotel, Jose Contreras, and Jim Thome this off-season. That’s why he believes it is imperative that a new generation of players get their feet wet at the Major League Level:
“We really like the way the next core is coming together. We need a little bit more luck on the health side. And we think we’re going to start to take off and play more consistently like we did the last week, the last two days aside.”
Beckham is a huge part of that core, and should be given his fair amount of time to take away a starting spot in that White Sox starting nine. A natural Shortstop, with a decent power, Beckham has moved from short, to third, and even second base in his young professional career. Though Beckham doesn’t have a classic Griffey type swing, his wrists and strong forearms give him great bat speed. Like many of the hitters in the class of 2008, Beckham has great pitch recognition, and is already a mature young man with leadership in mind. When asked his long time goal after being drafted, Beckham responded that he would like to, “lead the White Sox one day the way Derek Jeter leads the Yankees. “
Fantasy Analysis-
Nothing is set in stone just yet for Beckham, but it seems he will get a fair chance through at least the next two weeks. I would sign him off the waiver wire, simply because the White Sox, specifically manager Ozzie Guillen believes that Beckham will be playing everyday:
“He’s going to play. Where, we’re going to find out. Is he going to play third base every day. I don’t think so. But he will get plenty of at-bats. To me, he has to be in the lineup every day and get a good percentage of at-bats.”
McCutchen should still swipe 20-30 bags in a shortened 2009 season.
FanSided
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