Over the course of his professional career, which began as the first overall pick in 2008, Tim Beckham had never played an inning in the outfield. After beginning his career as a shortstop, Beckham began playing second, before becoming a utility infielder with the Tampa Bay Rays last year.
This season, however, Beckham is facing an uphill battle to find playing time. Nick Franklin has taken over as the Rays utility player, capable of playing almost anywhere on the diamond. And yet, if there is one thing that Tampa Bay covets, it is position flexibility. With that being the case, and in an attempt to reinvent himself, Beckham began learning the outfield this offseason.