Former top pick Beckham healthy, makes season debut
The 2008 overall No. 1 Draft selection sees action for Rookie-level Rays
Shortstop Tim Beckham, the Rays' No. 12 prospect, made his season debut Monday, serving as the designated hitter for the Rookie-level Rays in the Gulf Coast League. The Red Sox defeated the Rays, 7-6, in Game 1 of a doubleheader.
Beckham had been out since tearing his right anterior cruciate ligament in an offseason workout. He underwent knee surgery in December and had been rehabbing at the team's complex in Port Charlotte, Fla.
Monday, in his first game action since last season, Beckham went 3-for-4 with a triple, a run and two RBIs.
Beckham's knee injury came just after he had broken through to the big leagues. He hit .276/.342/.387 with 17 stolen bases in 122 games at Triple-A Durham last year and earned a September callup. He played sparingly in the big leagues, but did single in his first plate appearance.
Beckham, the first overall pick of the 2008 First-Year Player Draft, has hit .267/.333/.382 in his Minor League career.