FOR THE second time since 2009, Jefferson alum Chris Beck has been selected in the Major League Baseball draft — albeit much higher this go-round.
Beck, who was taken in the 35th round three years ago by Cleveland, was snagged Tuesday in the second round with the 76th pick by the Chicago White Sox.
“Once it came across the screen, it was just a sigh of relief,” said Beck, who is a right-handed pitcher for Georgia Southern.
Beck said he had a pick range in mind — between 40s to the 70s. He watched the draft in Statesboro and was able to celebrate with his family when he learned that he was the 76th pick.
“I don’t think it’s really set in with me; my family is ecstatic,” Beck said.
Beck said he kept in close contact with high school coach Tommy Knight and Georgia Southern teammate Victor Roache — taken no. 28 overall — during the draft. He also texted and received texts all his buddies from the Cape Cod League he played in last summer. That included Kyle Zimmer, who was taken with the fifth pick by the Kansas City Royals.
Beck said he was happy to be chosen by the White Sox.
“We’re in a very good organization with very good pitching,” Beck said.
The 6-3, 235-lb. Beck went 6-7 with a 3.91 ERA for Georgia Southern this past spring. Armed with a fastball that clocks in the mid-90s, he struck out 115 batters in 103.2 innings of work. Beck also pitched four complete games. Beck has proved his durability with two consecutive seasons of at least 103 innings worked.
Here’s an assessment of Beck by mlb.com.
“The Georgia native has the chance to have three pitches that will be Major League average or better … He can throw all three pitches for strikes and has a very good feel for pitching,” the report said. “For a guy with his size and stuff — think a Kyle Davies type with more power — he doesn’t always throw like a power arm. His fastball will flatten out at times and his slider isn’t always crisp, but if he would pitch off of his fastball more, he could be even better, a frontline starter with three weapons to choose from.”
Beck was the Southern Conference Tournament Most Valuable Player in 2011. He went 9-5 that year with a 3.23 ERA as he helped the Eagles win the SoCon title.
Beck followed that up with a junior season that was solid, but not spectacular in his mind.
“It was OK,” Beck said. “It’s not quite the expectation that we had coming in … In my eyes, it was average because of the expectations that I have.”
But this is a new chapter now, and Beck said he has to go out and prove himself.
After signing with the White Sox, Beck may have to report to a mini camp. He could then be headed to several potential destinations — Arizona; Glenn Falls, Mont.; or Bristol, Tenn. — for either rookie ball or Class A baseball.
Beck eagerly awaits his next step.
“Hopefully, everything will be up hill from here,” Beck said.
Before starring for Georgia Southern, Beck left his imprint on the Jefferson record book from 2006-2009.
He is still the Dragons’ career ERA (1.61), wins (31), saves (10) and strikeouts (363).
Jefferson went to the state Final Four during Beck’s sophomore year and the Elite Eight his junior year. Beck threw a no-hitter as a senior in the Region 8-AA championship against North Oconee.
Beck made sure to express his gratitude for all those who helped get him to this point in his career.
“I just want to say thank you for the support everyone has given me,” Beck said.
