Good evening Rays fans.  While the team is in Arlington playing the Rangers, I thought I would go ahead and discuss the Rays' first overall Draft pick for 2008, Griffin High School (Georgia) shortstop Tim Beckham.  While the Draft is gravitating increasingly towards the collegiate ranks, I don't mind seeing great high school players being taken at the top of the board.  As a matter of fact, I consider it an advantage.  Get a guy in the system when he's 18 years old, and if he takes five years to come up to the big team, he's still only 23 when he does it.  Just as long as you get the right personality (i.e. anybody other than Delmon Young), it works.  Tim Beckham fits the bill perfectly.

I looked at his stats and scouting reports (good, detailed pages can be found through the links), and I must say he looks like a great pick right now.  Beckham has very good speed and baserunning ability, stealing 16 bases in 24 games in his senior season with the Griffin Bears.  He also stole 32 bases in traveling competition with the best players of his age in the country.  He hit .409 during that time, as well as .500 in his senior high school year and .512 as a junior.  Out of 39 hits this season, nine were doubles, three triples, and five home runs.  He also had an amazing 22:5 walk–strikeout ratio, showcasing patience to go with his extra–base power and good speed.  The same speed, combined with quick hands, also makes for solid defense at a crucial position.  He has very good range in getting to the ball and throwing out runners.  He has huge five–tool potential and still has years to combine tools with baseball instinct, which he is already doing.  He does everything right on the field.  Perhaps the best part about him, however, is that he shows no character issues and comes off as a nice, team–first guy.  He has no ego and still has the mentality that baseball is fun.  He'll be a very exciting player.  We'll see him and love him in a few years.

Now it's time to do something I have not yet done before.  Until now, that is.  It's time that I go ahead and plug some other blogs and bloggers here at MLBlogs who can use attention for their skills and observations.  Sure, maybe two or three people read this blog, but I would be eternally grateful for any return plugs that I may receive.

http://raysrenegade.mlblogs.com Rays Renegade views from Rightfield – This guy is on the Fan Wall of Fame for the Rays, so he's certainly worth listening to.

http://the6–4–3.mlblogs.com The 6–4–3 – Here's another Rays blogger who has his own unique way of writing about our team.

http://englandrays.mlblogs.com Rays From Across The Pond – A British Rays supporter — this team is now going global.  This blogger should start his own fan club.

http://corre.mlblogs.com Corre from Tampa Bay – A die–hard local Rays fan who needs support for his support of the team.

http://yourenotagolfer.mlblogs.com Obviously, You're Not a Golfer – Probably the funniest blog name I've ever seen.  It comes from an enthusiastic Cardinals fan.

http://redstatebluestate.mlblogs.com Red State, Blue State – A Cardinals fan and a Tigers fan talk about their teams, and often debate each other.  I think it's an interesting idea.

http://steponme.mlblogs.com Marmol–ade – One of the more creative blog names I've seen here, and a recently featured blog on the home page.  A teenage Cubs girl knows more than her male contemporaries.  Don't you just love it when girls get into baseball?  I know I do.

http://alyssa.mlblogs.com *touch* 'em all – My favorite celebrity blog, that of Dodgers fan and talented actress Alyssa Milano.  She has very well written and thought out opinions on her team, not to mention a strong desire for all things baseball.

OK, so now that my mandatory plug session is over, I'll be back for more next year.  Before that much time passes, however, I will return for more of Rays–Rangers and its aftermath.  Until then, go Rays.