southsider2k5 Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseb...0,1656477.story One of the first challenges of manager Robin Ventura and his coaching staff will be to resurrect the production of embattled Chicago White Sox second baseman Gordon Beckham. My colleague Steve Rosenbloom raised the subject last week of whether Beckham was “coachable.” While that might sound harsh, the results in the past two seasons haven’t provided an argument to Steve’s claims. Beckham works as hard as any Sox hitter, but he didn’t sustain any prolonged success in 2011. The wild swings at high and outside pitches still persisted. In fact, the patience of general manager Ken Williams appeared stretched to the limit when asked on Aug. 19 whether it was too early to suggest that the career of Beckham, a 2008 first round pick, was at a crossroads. Williams said ‘’no’’ in a firm tone and elaborated on the weaknesses that opposing pitchers exploit. Based on Beckham’s statistics over the past three seasons, it’s hard to argue with Williams’ assessment. After making a splash in his rookie year in 2009, only a respectable finish enabled Beckham to finish with a .230 batting average. At this point, Beckham is drawing fewer comparisons to Ryne Sandberg, and his career is pointing more to that of former first round pick Brent Gates, who batted .290 in his rookie season but saw his production at the plate gradually decline. Defensively, Beckham has made a smoother transition from the left side of the infield to second base than anyone could imagine. His range is exceptional, his arm is strong and he scores points with his pitchers with his ability to not be intimidated by base runners sliding hard to break up double plays. But after a remarkable rookie season in which he batted .270 and hit 14 home runs with 63 RBIs, it’s been a source of frustration that Beckham hasn’t come close to achieving those numbers. He’s been bounced out of the No. 2 spot in each of the past two seasons, forcing the Sox to move Alexei Ramirez out of a run-producing spot in the batting order. Beckham’s struggles were overshadowed by the malaises of Adam Dunn and Alex Rios. Last winter, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported that Beckham would have been included in a deal if the Sox had acquired first baseman Adrian Gonzalez from San Diego. Gonzalez, instead, went to Boston in a multi-player trade. Coincidentally, the Sox acquired infielder Ozzie Martinez as part of their compensation for allowing manager Ozzie Guillen to be released from his contract and eventually head to Florida. Martinez, like Beckham, made the transition from the left side of the infield to second base after being faced with the prospect of playing behind multi-talented Hanley Ramirez. Martinez, 23, is projected as a No. 2 hitter if he can fulfill his potential and stick to being a line drive hitter and playing small ball. His development could impact the second base job if Beckham continues to struggle. With Dunn and Rios tied up in multi-year deals, Beckham, 25, might be the biggest project for the Sox’s new hitting coach, along with Ventura and first base coach Harold Baines. Ventura and Baines, each accomplished hitters during their playing days, will work with hitters on their mental approach at the plate. This is essential, especially because Sox fans have become frustrated with Beckham swinging at high and outside pitches for called third strikes, as well as other hitters swinging at the first pitch after a previous batter draws a walk. Conversely, too much information could cloud Beckham’s mind, and this has happened to several young players who arrive on the major league scene with plenty of success, only to fail later. Copyright © 2011, Chicago Tribune Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
balfanman Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 (edited) QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Oct 17, 2011 -> 08:35 AM) http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseb...0,1656477.story "Ventura and Baines, each accomplished hitters during their playing days, will work with hitters on their mental approach at the plate. This is essential, especially because Sox fans have become frustrated with Beckham swinging at high and outside pitches for called third strikes, as well as other hitters swinging at the first pitch after a previous batter draws a walk." How do you receive a called third strike when you swung at a pitch? Edited October 17, 2011 by balfanman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balta1701 Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 QUOTE (balfanman @ Oct 17, 2011 -> 10:25 AM) How do you receive a called third strike when you swung at a pitch? That's just how bad he's been. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eminor3rd Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Oct 17, 2011 -> 09:58 AM) That's just how bad he's been. lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texsox Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Oct 17, 2011 -> 09:58 AM) That's just how bad he's been. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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