Tyler Beede Knows Control Is Hurdle He Must Clear

Control and command rate as perhaps the two main elements for righthander Tyler Beede to achieve the most cherished “C” word for any minor league player: callup.

The 14th overall pick in the 2014 draft, Beede averaged 4.7 walks per nine innings in his three years at Vanderbilt.

After experimenting with different deliveries over the years, Beede discovered one that worked for him before the 2016 season.

“I finally found that rhythm,” said Beede, 24. “I finally found that repeatable mechanic. It’s really helped me with commanding the zone and controlling my pitches.”

At Double-A Richmond last season, Beede cut his walk rate to 3.2 per nine while leading the Eastern League with a 2.81 ERA.

Of course, control and command aren’t solely a function of mechanics.

“Yeah, it is a mindset, too,” Beede said. “For me, the biggest thing was really just getting over that being such a big focus for me: ‘Hey, you’ve got to throw strikes. You’re a guy who always walks people.’ ”

Beede is listed at 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds.

“He’s a big guy who has four pitches,” Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. “He’s got the equipment to pitch here. Now, it’s all about developing all those pitches.”

“(Beede’s) competitiveness will get him (to the majors),” said shortstop Christian Arroyo, Beede’s teammate in the minors. “His stuff’s obviously there.”

Beede began the season at Triple-A Sacramento and walked 3.7 per nine in April to go with a 3.67 ERA in five starts.

With Madison Bumgarner sidelined indefinitely after his dirt-bike accident in April, the Giants moved lefty Ty Blach from the bullpen to the rotation. Should San Francisco need another starter, Beede could get that callup.

“To be this close and to know that I could potentially contribute this year is special,” Beede said. “It’s humbling.”

— Steve Kroner is a sportswriter for the San Francisco Chronicle