Smiling Rays sign No. 1 pick
Tim Beckham used one word to describe how it felt to walk into the Tampa Bay Rays clubhouse in St. Petersburg, Fla., and spot a jersey with his name on the back hanging in a locker next to established major leaguers.
“Sweet,” the talented high school shortstop from Griffin, Ga., said Thursday.
The Rays were all smiles, too, after taking just two weeks to sign the No. 1 pick in this month’s baseball draft.
Beckham agreed to a contract that includes a $6.15 million signing bonus. He will join older brother Jeremy – a second baseman selected in the 17th round – in beginning his pro career with Tampa Bay’s rookie league affiliate in Princeton, W.Va.
Beckham is the third high school shortstop taken No. 1 overall in the last five years.
He batted .482 with six homers, 13 doubles and 41 RBIs as a senior after establishing himself as the nation’s top prospect with stellar performances at last summer’s high school showcase events.
The Rays, who have one of the youngest rosters in baseball, are off to the best start in franchise history (43-29).
Zambrano needs MRI
Chicago Cubs ace Carlos Zambrano will miss his next scheduled start because of shoulder trouble and will undergo an MRI exam today.
Zambrano left Wednesday night’s game at Tampa Bay because of discomfort in his right shoulder.
Zambrano, 8-3 with a 3.13 ERA in 16 starts for the N.L. Central leaders, had been set to pitch Tuesday night at home against Baltimore.
Left-hander Sean Marshall could be recalled from Triple-A Iowa to pitch against the Orioles in place of Zambrano.