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Club Adds No. 1 Pick's Older Brother

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By MARC LANCASTER The Tampa Tribune

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 7, 2008

ARLINGTON, Texas - The Rays' top draft pick, Tim Beckham, gives credit to his older brother Jeremy for convincing him baseball was his best bet for athletic stardom. Now Jeremy Beckham will get a chance to witness his brother's rise through the ranks firsthand.

Tampa Bay took the elder Beckham, a 22-year-old second baseman at Georgia Southern, with its 17th-round selection. Jeremy, a senior, stole 24 bases in 29 attempts for the Eagles this season. He hit .333, but managed only seven extra-base hits (six doubles and a homer) in 51 games.

"He's a kid we think can help the organization," Rays scouting director R.J. Harrison said. "He's got good foot speed, he's a good baseball player. We know he's going to be a good asset to our organization and we're always looking to add good people."

As for the family lineage?

"I think it certainly can't hurt - they have a real close relationship," Harrison said. "I think they'll be really good for one another and be good for the club they play on."

The Rays made 44 picks Friday to wrap up the 50-round draft. They were especially pleased to nab Long Beach State RF Jason Corder with their first pick of the day in the seventh round.

That choice pleased the Rays' favorite Long Beach product, 3B Evan Longoria. The two never played together, but Longoria faced off against Corder when the outfielder played at Cal-Berkeley before transferring to Long Beach.

"He's a big, power right-handed bat," Longoria said.

PERCY ON TRACK: Closer Troy Percival threw 28 pitches in a bullpen session Friday afternoon and pronounced himself stir-crazy.

A week away from being eligible to come off the 15-day disabled list, Percival can't believe he has to wait that long.

"I'd come off today if I could," he said.

Unfortunately for him, he'll be limited to throwing a simulated game in Anaheim at the stadium he called home for the first decade of his career. He left the ballpark before Friday's game to fly out to California and spend an extra few days with his family before the team catches up to him Sunday night.

He would just as soon be pitching.

"I was fine for the first four days because I knew I probably shouldn't be on the mound yet," Percival said. "But about the sixth day hit and I was like, 'I'm fine.' I threw that 'pen in Boston and I was like, 'I'm good.'"

NOTEWORTHY: Rocco Baldelli went 1-for-6 with a walk in an extended spring training game Friday. He's scheduled to play in extended spring games Monday and Wednesday. ... Brian Ruggiano, a second baseman at Texas A&M and younger brother of Rays OF Justin Ruggiano, was the Dodgers' 23rd-round pick. ... Rangers SS Michael Young was a late scratch from the lineup with a bruised left ring finger.

Marc Lancaster

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