SEATTLE -- It’s hard to call shortstop Tim Beckham a revelation, especially with a resume that includes being selected first overall in the 2008 Draft and two years removed from a combined 22-homer season with the Rays and Orioles in '17.
But after Beckham opened the 2019 season by going a combined 5-for-7 with a homer, a double and two RBIs in the Mariners' two-game sweep of the A's in Tokyo last week, that might be exactly what he is.
That said, even with his good start, the fact Beckham can hit isn’t exactly a surprise.
“Offensively, we know Tim’s got ability. He’s had some good years in the past,” Mariners manager Scott Servais said at Mariners FanFest on Saturday. “It’s great to see him get off to that kind of start, not just the home run, but the quality of the at-bats."
The 29-year-old Beckham said that his start wasn’t anything other than just getting pitches to hit.
“I’m just seeing the ball,” said Beckham, who hit .230 with 12 homers and 35 RBis as he battled a groin strain with the Orioles in 2018. “Hitting’s hard enough as it is. I’m trying to keep it simple, be on time and see the ball, seeing pitches in the zone.”
Beckham's start also came with the side benefit of the hoopla surrounding Ichiro Suzuki’s retirement during the Opening Series in Japan.
“It was definitely a surreal moment,” Beckham said. “Just to be on the field with one of the all-time greats is very special. To be around someone who’s had that type of career is huge.”
Beckham signed a one-year contract with the Mariners in January, a deal that allows the Mariners to start shortstop J.P. Crawford at Triple-A Tacoma for a little more seasoning.
For now, it’s a move that will see Beckham take over at shortstop, the position where he has played the bulk of his Major League career. And Servais noted that working with coach Perry Hill has been a boon to Beckham in the field.
But when Crawford makes the move to Seattle, Beckham also has the positional flexibility to stay in the lineup.
“Tim can play all over,” Servais said. “He’s played third. He can play second, if he had to. Right now, he’s going to play predominantly shortstop, and we’ll see how that plays out."
For now though, Beckham isn’t worried about how he might fit with the Mariners down the road, and that seems to suit him.
“I’m a ballplayer,” Beckham said. “I come in to work every day and I want to get my work in and be ready for the game at 7:05. Other than that, I can’t control what’s out of my control.”