PEORIA, Ariz. -- When you’ve been the first player selected in a Major League Draft, there’s always a tag attached to your name. But Tim Beckham isn’t worried about that this spring. He’s just enjoying a new opportunity with the Mariners and a chance to play ball.

The 29-year-old infielder signed as a free agent with Seattle this winter after hitting .252/.304/.424 with 48 homers over five seasons with the Rays and Orioles. Beckham is the likely Opening Day starter at shortstop for the Mariners, if they decide to give young J.P. Crawford time to get comfortable at Triple-A Tacoma, and Beckham could slide into a utility role whenever Crawford is deemed ready.

Baseball history is filled with No. 1 overall Draft picks who didn’t turn into superstars. Of the 54 first overall picks since the Draft began in 1965, 20 have a lower career fWAR than Beckham’s 5.2, though six of those were selected in the last six years and haven’t had a chance yet to develop.

Beckham, selected out of a Georgia high school in 2008 by the Rays, has carved his own career and welcomes the chance to see where it goes now with Seattle.

“I’m going to go out and play the game I know how to play,” he said, standing amid the chaos of a new clubhouse filled with players he’s just getting to know. “I’m a ballplayer no matter what locker room I’m in or what team I’m on. I’m going to go out and get my work in and play the game hard. It doesn’t matter what jersey is on my back, but I’m definitely more than happy to be with the Seattle Mariners.”

Beckham signed with Seattle because he saw a fresh opportunity and the Mariners are interested to see where it leads.

“Any time you go that spot in the Draft, there’s a ton of expectations heaped on you and it’s hard for any player to live up to that,” manager Scott Servais said. “Sometimes it clicks for different guys at different times in their career. I think it’s a good opportunity here for Tim.

“Certainly offensively, I like what he brings. It’s finding a spot defensively that he’s comfortable with. We are going to use him at a number of different positions. It will primarily be shortstop to start out. As we get moving along, his versatility is going to be a nice thing to have.”

Beckham is a year removed from a breakout 2017 when hit posted a 3.7 fWAR, the seventh-best among American League shortstops, while batting .278 with 22 homers in 137 games with the Rays and Orioles.

He dealt with a strained left groin early last season, wound up batting .230 with 12 homers in 96 games with a struggling Orioles club and jumped at the chance for a new start in Seattle.

That strong ’17 campaign showed the potential the Rays felt was there when they drafted him and it hasn’t been forgotten by Beckham.

“The ceiling is very high,” Beckham said. “I remain optimistic about my career and my opportunity here and our team as a whole. I think we’re going to have a good season. I love the team camaraderie. The energy here is unbelievable. Everyone is hanging out and kicking with each other like we’ve known each other for a couple years.

“When you come to a big league Spring Training, that speaks volumes. That’s what good ballclubs need. That’s where it starts."