At the start of the year, Tim Beckham was vying to become a super utility player for the Tampa Bay Rays. Matt Duffy was expected to be ready early in the season, with Nick Franklin possibly holding down the fort until he returned. However, Beckham got off to a solid start in Spring Training, and ended up seizing the job for himself.
Given the opportunity, Beckham exceeded expectations. Although his strikeout rate is higher than one would like, he had still produced a respectable .274/.327/.433 batting line, hitting 11 homers and stealing five bases.