GM doesn't rule out Beckham's chances
GLENDALE, Ariz. - Gordon Beckham continues using the White Sox' training camp as his own personal showcase.
Even though he played in just 14 minor-league games with Class A Kannapolis last season after being the Sox' first-round draft pick (No. 8 overall) in June, Beckham keeps attracting the lion's share of attention this spring.
Replacing shortstop Alexei Ramirez late in Wednesday's Cactus League game against Milwaukee, Beckham broke the game open with a bases-loaded double in the bottom of the seventh inning.
It was Beckham's fourth double in his last 5 at-bats, and it figures to only increase the top prospect's profile while further fueling speculation he might make the jump to the White Sox' 25-man roster.
Sox general manager Kenny Williams was asked about the possibility before the Sox' 6-2 Cactus League victory over the Milwaukee Brewers. Would he consider taking a chance on a player with so little pro experience?
"Sure, if he's the best guy to take," Williams told the Daily Herald. "You can say 14 minor-league games, but I saw him play in the Arizona Fall League, and that's a Double-A league. If you dominate in that league, you can play in the big leagues."
Beckham, 22, batted .394 with 3 home runs and 13 RBI in 18 games in the AFL. Following an All-American career at the University of Georgia, the infielder hit .310 with 3 HR and 8 RBI with Kannapolis.
As reported Monday in the Daily Herald, recent history strongly suggests Beckham is going to additional minor-league seasoning before making the jump to the majors.
Four current star infielders who were first-round collegiate draft picks - Tampa Bay's Evan Longoria, Colorado's Troy Tulowitzki, Milwaukee's Rickie Weeks and Philadelphia's Chase Utley - averaged 230 games played in the minors before reaching the big leagues.
Tulowitzki had the shortest stay at 106 minor-league games, Utley the longest at 400.
Williams has never been one to follow the lead, and that could bode well for Beckham.
"I'm not putting any restrictions on whether this guy will or won't be part of the team," Williams said. "We're taking the best."
Needless to say, Beckham is making quite an impression on the White Sox' GM.
"There are certain things, certain positions you get in as a hitter, certain things you are able to do," Williams said. "For instance, driving the ball hard to right-center field, that's an indicator you are able to stand in and take a good crisp breaking ball and have a chance to do some damage.
"But at the end of the day it'll be what (manager) Ozzie (Guillen) likes as a fit in his lineup."
At the beginning of the week, Guillen also gave Beckham a strong endorsement.
"I love making decisions like that," said Guillen, who broke in with the Sox at 21. "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."
Watching Beckham deliver again Wednesday apparently swayed Guillen even more.
"He's got a lot of confidence now, and that's the key," Guillen said. "He's good and he knows what he's doing."
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