White Sox' top prospect could cause Guillen to make tough decision
GLENDALE, Ariz. - Spring training is a time to dream big.
Good luck finding a team in either league right now that thinks it can't win the World Series. And no matter how high the uniform number, every hitter is a potential MVP and every pitcher is looking forward to accepting the Cy Young Award.
Gordon Beckham is no different.
"It's still pretty far out of the realm of reality, I guess," said Beckham, the White Sox' top prospect. "But you know, I'm going to prepare the same way, no matter what. I feel like I've made good strides in the right direction. And if I said I didn't want to make the team, then I would be crazy."
Playing second base and batting leadoff Sunday at Camelback Ranch, Beckham had 3 doubles, scored 2 runs and picked up an RBI in the Sox' 9-4 Cactus League win over the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The 22-year-old Beckham - drafted No. 8 overall by the White Sox last June - is batting .333 in eight exhibition games.
It's still early, but Beckham is already starting to look like he belongs in the big leagues.
"I hope I'm looking like that," said the University of Georgia All-American. "I think there's a difference in being cocky and being confident. I try to be as confident as I can without being cocky. Why not? I've been playing this game my whole life. The game hasn't changed. It's just the scenery and settings got a little different."
Beckham's standout play is forcing White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen to give his projected 25-man roster a different look.
"He's had a great spring training and he's making it tougher on us to make that decision," Guillen said. "He continues to impress everybody; he continues to impress the coaching staff. It seems like he belongs in the big leagues. Right now, we have (25) games left. If he continues to do that, then we have to think about what we're going to do."
Considering he played in only 14 games at Class A Kannapolis last season after receiving a $2.6 million signing bonus from the Sox, Beckham could only benefit from more minor-league seasoning.
But if he keeps playing like he did Sunday ...
"Believe me, if this kid continues to do what he's doing right now, it's going to be a nice, special headache," Guillen said. "I love that. I love making decisions like that. I'm not afraid to play the kids; I'm not afraid to give those guys a chance as long as they know they can do this. This kid wasn't even in my mind to make this ballclub.
"Now, as he gets more at-bats, he's swinging the bat well and he's swinging against the good (starting pitchers). ... You look at who he's facing and it seems like he's not having a problem against anyone."
With Alexei Ramirez set at shortstop, which is Beckham's natural position, second base could be his future position.
Beckham has made two straight starts at second, where Chris Getz, Brent Lillibridge and Jayson Nix are also vying for time.
"I feel fine," Beckham said of playing second base. "I still have to work on the feeds a little bit. I still have to work on getting my feet underneath me and making sure I'm throwing a strike over to first. If I can do that, I think I'll be all right."