T.J. Beam
| IP | 63 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 5.429 |
| WHIP | 1.508 |
| BB/9 | 3.714 |
| SO/9 | 5.143 |
- Full name Theodore Lester Beam
- Born 08/28/1980 in Scottsdale, AZ
- Profile Ht.: 6'7" / Wt.: 215 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Mississippi
- Debut 06/17/2006
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Drafted in the 10th round (304th overall) by the New York Yankees in 2003 (signed for $20,000).
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A walk-on at Scottsdale (Ariz.) CC in 2000, Beam has developed into one of the best senior signs for the 2003 draft. He spent last year as a closer because he didn't have effective secondary pitches. Throwing 91-94 mph on a tough downward plane-he's 6-foot-7-got him drafted in the 11th round by the Phillies, but he didn't sign. Beam has improved his slider this year, enabling him to stay in the rotation, though he has thrown more at 87-91 mph as a starter. His changeup is still spotty, so he'll likely return to the bullpen as a pro.
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Beam did just what the Yankees hoped he would in 2006. He continued his adjustment from starter to reliever, dominated the minors and made his big league debut. Now, he has to take next step--having major league success and earning manager Joe Torre's trust in the late innings. Beam's stuff has improved the last two years, particularly his slider, which is now plus pitch at times. He stays tall in his delivery more consistently now and can hit 95 mph with his fastball, though it usually sits in the low 90s. Beam thrived in extended appearances in the minors, often pitching two or three innings per outing, and some Yankees officials worried that he had little experience throwing on back-to-back days prior to getting to the majors. Sure enough, he struggled in such appearances. When he's tired, his stuff flattens out and he's vulnerable to homers. Beam needs to get stronger. He'll have a chance to earn a big league bullpen spot in 2007 but will have to pitch a lot better in New York to stay there. -
Known as T.J. because he's Theodore Lester Beam Jr., Beam was a solid starter at Mississippi in college, leading the Rebels in wins as a senior. He was a fastball pitcher in the offspeed-heavy Southeastern Conference and got away with it because of his low-90s velocity and the downhill plane he generates from his 6-foot-7 frame. His lack of a quality offspeed pitch caught up with him in pro ball. He made strides with his slider and picked up velocity on his fastball after moving to the bullpen in 2005, and his improvement prompted the Yankees to protect him on their 40-man roster in November. Beam's fastball often sat at 92- 96 mph last year, and while it lacks movement, he has enough velocity to pitch up in the zone. His slider greatly improved and became an average pitch. He locates it much better than he used to, and at times it has good tilt and some hard bite. His changeup is just fringe average. Beam profiles as a set-up man and will start this year in Double-A. If his slider continues to improve, he could move quickly.
