Jalen Beeks

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Boston Red Sox #11 prospect in 2018
  In his first two full pro seasons, Beeks flashed interesting components but did so in inconsistent fashion. In 2017, however, he regained the impressive depth to his changeup that he showed in Greenville in 2015 while developing a cutter that he could use to get on the hands of righties, thus opening up the plate for a two-plane, low-90s fastball and an average curveball in a campaign that altered the view of his abilities. In his third straight season of making all 26 of his starts, Beeks saw his strikeout rate jump to 25.6 percent while seeing a healthy uptick in his groundball rate--a noteworthy development given concerns that as a shorter pitcher, he could be susceptible to fly balls and homers based on the plane of his pitches. Beeks' four-pitch mix of solid average to slightly above-average pitches coupled with a high mound IQ and impressive competitiveness suggest a pitcher with a chance to contribute as a spot starter in 2018 with a chance to emerge as a solid No. 5 starter.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #125 prospect in 2014 draft
  Beeks started his college career at Crowder (Mo.) JC, then transferred to Arkansas and was the team's workhorse out of the bullpen as a sophomore. He moved into the rotation this spring and had been climbing draft boards as one of the SEC's more effective lefthanders, with a 5-4, 2.11 regular season mark. Stocky at a listed 5-foot-11, 180 pounds, Beeks doesn't cut an imposing figure on the mound but touches 94 mph with his fastball while sitting in the 88-92 mph range, though his velocity drops after five or six innings. He throws quality strikes with the fastball and solid-average slider, a short, late offering, and locates his changeup well. Beeks missed the last two weeks of the regular season with elbow soreness, and Arkansas did not plan to use him during the conference tournament, amplifying durability questions that scouts already had. Beeks profiles as a back-end pitchability starter if he can handle the workload.

• July, 2018 Scouting Report
  While Beeks lacks a clear plus pitch, the development of a cutter in 2017 and its refinement in 2018 has allowed him to emerge as a big league starting depth option. He shows a four-pitch mix, anchored by an 88-94 mph fastball and cutter, complemented by a curveball and changeup, that has helped him generate huge strikeout numbers in Triple-A. His vulnerability to flyballs represents a potential limitation, particularly in Fenway Park, but his ability to mix and sequence pitches has positioned him as a depth consideration.