Beckham confident he'll make jump to Sox
Considering he has played a grand total of 14 games for Class A Winston-Salem and another 18 in the Arizona Fall League, Gordon Beckham knows he's not ready to make the jump to the White Sox' 25-man roster.
But the promising infield prospect definitely has put himself on the fast track.
"I think, obviously, I've played well in my short, short stint with them so far," Beckham said on a conference call Tuesday.
Beckham, drafted No. 8 overall by the Sox in June following an All-American career at the University of Georgia, probably is hoping to start the 2009 season with Class AA Birmingham.
If the 6-foot, 185-pounder picks up where he left off in Arizona, it should be a short stay. Playing against more experienced competition in the AFL, Beckham batted .394 with 3 home runs and 13 RBI for the Peoria Saguaros.
More impressive, the right-hander batted .533 with 3 homers and 11 RBI in his final seven games.
Beckham credited the strong finishing kick to a more compact swing. He should arrive at the Sox' new spring-training complex in Glendale, Ariz., in February flush with confidence.
"The last 2-3 weeks of the (Arizona Fall League), I really went off and had a great end of the season," Beckham said. "Knowing I could hang in there with guys playing Double-A and Triple-A, it was pleasing. Confidence is a big deal in baseball."
Beckham is a natural shortstop, but that is Alexei Ramirez's position for what appears to be at least the next three seasons. Ramirez moves over from second base, which ultimately could be filled by Beckham late in 2009 or at the start of 2010.
"I've played shortstop my whole life, and I'd prefer to play there," Beckham said. "Second base or shortstop, I think either one of those are good options.
"I'll play second base, I'll play third base, or I'll catch. I haven't caught for five years, but I'll do it. I want to help the White Sox in any way possible. Wherever they need me, I'll be ready."
Feeling a draft: The White Sox offered salary arbitration to Orlando Cabrera on Tuesday, and the free-agent shortstop has until Sunday to accept it.
Cabrera is expected to decline and sign with another major-league team.
In his one season with the Sox, the 34-year-old Cabrera batted .281 and had 8 home runs and 57 RBI.
Off the field, Cabrera never seemed to fit in with the White Sox. He clashed with manager Ozzie Guillen after twice trying to have error calls overturned.