Timothy Lamar Beckham (born January 27, 1990) is an American professional baseball infielder who is currently a free agent. He has previously played in MLB for the Tampa Bay Rays, Baltimore Orioles, Seattle Mariners, and Minnesota Twins. Beckham was the first overall selection of the 2008 MLB draft by the Rays, and received a signing bonus of $6.15 million. He made his MLB debut in 2013, and played for the Rays through 2017, when they traded him to Baltimore. He played for the Orioles in 2017 and 2018, for Seattle in 2019, and for Minnesota in 2022.
Early years
Beckham, the youngest son of Jimmy Beckham, grew up in the Crestview Heights neighborhood of Griffin, Georgia. He often played baseball in his yard with his older brothers Stephen and Jeremy. During his younger years Beckham was involved in football, basketball and baseball. However, he quit baseball while in grade school to focus on football and basketball. Encouraged by his brothers, he got back into baseball. Beckham was the shortstop for the Griffin junior varsity baseball team as an eighth grader, and the varsity team at Griffin High School in 2005 as a freshman. His older brother, Jeremy had gone on to play baseball at Georgia Southern University and was eventually drafted by the Rays in the 2008 Major League Baseball draft.
High school
In his freshman year for the Griffin High varsity team, Beckham batted seventh in the order and hit 14 home runs on the season. In his first at-bat in 2006 as a sophomore, Beckham hit a home run. For the season he batted .405, hitting five home runs, three triples and six doubles. He also added 22 runs batted in and stole 15 bases.
During his junior season at Griffin, Beckham batted .512, hitting nine doubles, six triples, and six home runs. He also added 39 RBIs and stole 20 bases. Following the season, Beckham competed in the World Wood Bat Association 17-Under Summer Championship, in Cincinnati, Ohio. Beckham finished the tournament rated as the #1 prospect out of over 2,000 participants. Later that year, in August 2007, Beckham took home the MVP Honors at the Aflac Classic in San Diego, California. Beckham concluded the summer of 2007 having batted .409, hitting nine home runs, 15 doubles, eight triples, and 32 stolen bases, against some of the best competition in America.
Beckham committed to the University of Southern California during his senior year, but maintained his intentions of entering the 2008 MLB Draft. Through 24 games in his senior season, Beckham batted .500, with five home runs, nine doubles and three triples. Beckham also added 31 RBIs and 16 stolen bases.
Beckham was rated by publications such as Baseball America as the top high school baseball prospect in the nation. Beckham was described as a potential five tool player at the major league level. Beckham ran the 60-yard dash in 6.33 seconds, and bench pressed .
Professional career
Minor leagues
The Tampa Bay Rays chose Beckham with the first overall selection of the 2008 MLB Draft. Beckham signed with the Rays on June 19, receiving a signing bonus of $6.15 million. He played with the Princeton Rays of the Appalachian League, the Hudson Valley Renegades, the Bowling Green Hot Rods of the Midwest League, and the Charlotte Stone Crabs of the Florida State League.
In 2011, Beckham was selected to the All-Star Futures Game along with fellow Tampa Bay Rays prospects Hak-Ju Lee and Matt Moore.
In May 2012, Beckham was suspended 50 games for a second positive test for a "drug of abuse".
After the conclusion of the 2012 season, Beckham was added to the 40-man roster to be protected from the upcoming Rule 5 draft. He was optioned to AAA Durham on March 15, 2013.
Tampa Bay Rays
On September 18, 2013, the Rays promoted Beckham to the majors. Beckham made his MLB debut on September 19, as a pinch hitter against the Texas Rangers. In his only at-bat, he recorded his first career MLB hit, a single, off of Rangers pitcher Tanner Scheppers. He had 3 hits, all singles, in 7 at-bats. He scored once and drove in a run.
After the 2013 season, Beckham tore his anterior cruciate ligament. He missed the 2014 season.
On April 11, 2015, Beckham hit his first major league home run. For the season, he batted .222 /.274/.429.
In 2016, Beckham played a backup utility man role, mainly playing SS, but also seeing time at all four infield positions. Beckham was demoted to Triple-A Durham on August 31, 2016 after not hustling home from second base during a game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. He finished the 2016 season batting .247/.300/.434, with 5 home runs and 16 RBIs in 64 games.