Austin Beck
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After a 2017 pro debut in the AZL that was rocky at times, Beck held his own across a full season with Class A Beloit in 2018. He was able to shorten his swing and cut down on his strikeout rate considerably, but hit for less power than expected in doing so. He has upped his power production in the first half of this season in the California League, though Beck has struck out at a considerably higher rate (nearly 35-percent of plate appearances) in order to get to it. After an ice cold April, the 20-year-old turned it around somewhat–though was still striking out a ton–slashing .281/.326/.488 from the start of May until hitting the IL near the end of June. Beck is a plus athlete with a high-upside mix of strength, speed, and power. Defensively, he currently plays in CF and has some chance to remain at the position long term. If his muscular 6-foot-1, 200-pound frame outgrows the middle of the field, his plus arm profiles well in RF. The athleticism and speed/power combo could make him a big league regular–especially if he stays in CF–but Beck will need to find a way to hit for power without carrying a strikeout rate above 30-percent in order to reach that ceiling. |