Chris Beck

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Chicago White Sox #19 prospect in 2016
  Beck averaged nearly 150 innings per season in 2013 and 2014, when he balanced durability, effectiveness and proximity to the majors to rank as one of the top pitching prospects in the system. That ride came to an end in 2015, when Beck made just 10 starts at Triple-A Charlotte and spent the second half of the season on the disabled list with elbow inflammation. He made his big league debut on May 28, however. Beck pitches at 90-92 mph with late sinking action, and he can bump 96 with plus arm speed on his best days, but he tends to not locate well enough to be an true groundball pitcher. He has reclaimed the swing-and-miss slider he threw at Georgia Southern, and it flashes plus in the 85-88 mph range. He struggles to control the arm speed of his below-average changeup, and big league batters teed off on the pitch, hitting .571. Beck could be effective as a No. 5 starter or possibly in a relief role.
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  Ranked Chicago White Sox #11 prospect in 2015
  The offseason trades of righthanders Chris Bassitt and Andre Rienzo and non-tendering of lefty Scott Snodgress left Beck as the most experienced starter in the system. Strong and durable, he has taken every turn the last two years and finished strong at Triple-A Charlotte in 2014. He profiles at the back of a rotation, and because he's a creature of habit who struggles when he's out of his routine, the bullpen may not be an option. Beck's breaking ball has backed up since college, when he flashed a plus-plus slider with power and depth. He has lost the feel for the slider as well as the proper shape on the pitch, which lacks depth and now resembles a cutter. As a result, he lacks a strikeout pitch and has had to focus on getting weak contact. His fastball can sit 92-95 mph, more frequently sitting 90-93, but he doesn't command it or consistently sink it. His changeup has evolved into an average pitch with some sink, and he throws a loopy, early-count curveball. If his plus slider ever returns, he could be a mid-rotation factor. In the meantime, he's rotation insurance at Triple-A Charlotte.
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  Ranked Chicago White Sox #8 prospect in 2014
  Beck was the ace for two seasons at Georgia Southern, and coming off a strong Cape Cod League he was positioned to go in the top 10 picks of the 2012 draft. He had a dreadful spring, though, losing velocity and crispness, and fell to the 76th overall pick. The White Sox signed him for $600,000. Beck still flashes two plus pitches and an average third pitch. His fastball touches 95 mph and sits 89-93 with good life down in the zone. His slider, once a premium power pitch, now is shorter and shallower, but even in the mid-80s it helps him get groundballs. His changeup has become a weapon, and he can throw strikes with a show-me curve. Some scouts think he could rediscover his wipeout slider if he were to ditch his curve. Beck finished his first full season with a strong Double-A Southern League playoff performance, reinforcing the organization's belief in his competitiveness and big-game ability. If he doesn't get his old slider back, he could still be a back-end starter or middle reliever. If the old depth and power return, though, Beck could be a No. 2 starter.
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  Ranked Chicago White Sox #10 prospect in 2013
  After a strong summer in the Cape Cod League, Beck projected as a top 10 overall selection for the 2012 draft. But his stock dropped as he lost his arm slot and much of his command during the spring, and the White Sox signed him for $600,000 as the No. 76 choice. Their pick came down to him and Paco Rodriguez, who went at No. 82 and reached the big leagues in September with the Dodgers. When he's right, Beck has a classic pitcher's frame and the stuff to go with it. He worked at 91-94 mph and touched 96 in 2011, though he operated at 89-93 throughout 2012. His mid-80s slider/cutter is filthy at times albeit inconsistent, and his changeup shows flashes of becoming a plus pitch. Chicago believes Beck's problems stemmed from being overweight and lowering his release point. He has to work to keep his mechanics and command in order. He seemed to find a better arm slot working with White Sox coaches but needs innings to refine the changes. Beck will open his first full pro season in low Class A. He'll advance quickly if he stays in shape and develops more consistency, with the ceiling of a No. 2 or 3 starter if it all comes together.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #80 prospect in 2012 draft
  Beck was a 35th-round pick of the Indians out of high school in 2009 but joined with Victor Roache to front a well-regarded recruiting class for Georgia Southern. After a 2-4 regular season as a freshman, Beck showed significant improvement in the Cape Cod League and dropped scouts' jaws in the fall, when he was throwing his fastball consistently at 95-96 mph while adding an unhittable cutter to go with an improved slider and a changeup that some scouts called his best pitch. He hasn't shown the same stuff this spring, though. He does rank seventh in the nation in strikeouts (97) and 31st with 10.31 strikeouts/nine innings, but he has lost his arm slot, throwing from a lower release point. His fastball has touched 93 mph but generally sits in the 86-91 mph range. His cutter also has not been as good, and all of his pitches have lacked life.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked Pioneer League #12 prospect in 2012
  Beck opened 2012 as a potential top-10-overall pick but slid to the second round after a mediocre spring at Georgia Southern. Though he got knocked around some more at Great Falls, it's hard to ignore his stuff. Becks sits at 90-92 mph with his fastball and reaches 95 at times. He complements his heater with a slider that has the potential to become a plus pitch and a below-average changeup that could become average with work. His command is slightly below average, though it showed improvement during the summer.

• December, 2012 Scouting Report
  Background: After a strong summer in the Cape Cod League, Beck projected as a top 10 overall selection for the 2012 draft. But his stock dropped as he lost his arm slot and much of his command during the spring, and the White Sox signed him for $600,000 as the No. 76 choice. Their pick came down to him and Paco Rodriguez, who went at No. 82 and reached the big leagues in September with the Dodgers. Scouting Report: When he's right, Beck has a classic pitcher's frame and the stuff to go with it. He worked at 91-94 mph and touched 96 mph in 2011, though he operated at 89-93 mph throughout 2012. His mid-80s slider/cutter is filthy at times albeit also inconsistent, and his changeup shows flashes of becoming a plus pitch. Chicago believes Beck's problems stemmed from being overweight and lowering his release point. He has to work to keep his mechanics and command in order. He seemed to find a better arm slot working with White Sox coaches but needs innings to refine the changes and do a better job of repeating his pitches. The Future: Beck will open his first full pro season in low Class A. He'll advance quickly if he stays in shape and develops more consistency, with the ceiling of a No. 2 or 3 starter if it all comes together.