Josh Beckett

From BR Bullpen

Bats Right, Throws Right
Height 6' 4", Weight 190 lb.
High School Spring High School
Debut September 4, 2001
Born May 15, 1980 in Spring, TX USA

1 Biographical Information
2 Miscellany
3 Career MLB Stats
4 Notable Achievements
5 Related Sites

[edit] Biographical Information

Josh Beckett is a right-handed starting pitcher for the Boston Red Sox. He was selected by the Florida Marlins with the second overall pick in the 1999 amateur draft. With the nickname "Kid Heat", Beckett continued a long line of power pitchers to come out of the state of Texas. In just his second season of professional baseball, Baseball America named Beckett the 2001 Minor League Player of the Year, and he debuted with the Marlins. The young Texan reached national fame in 2003, after an outstanding postseason in which he won the World Series MVP. Injuries hampered his career in Florida, and the Marlins traded Beckett to the Boston Red Sox. The righty won 16 games for the Red Sox in 2006, and was a member of the All-Star team in 2007.

[edit] High School Career

In three seasons as a varsity pitcher at Spring High School, Beckett's record was 32-6. He posted his best ERA, 0.39, and strikeout total, 178, as a Junior. Baseball America named him as a first-team high school All-American, the only junior on the first or second team that year. There were rumors that the ace would be leaving high school early to enter the amateur draft. Instead, Beckett returned for his senior season and went 10-1 with a 0.46 ERA. He allowed 31 hits in 89 innings while striking out 155, and was again a first-team Baseball America High School All-American. USA Today deemed him "High School Pitcher of the Year", and he cemented his spot as one of baseball's best amateur pitchers. Scouts compared the phenom to his childhood idols: Nolan Ryan and Roger Clemens. The Tampa Bay Devil Rays passed on Beckett with the first pick, choosing Josh Hamilton. The Marlins signed Beckett to a seven million dollar contract that included a four million dollar signing bonus. Prior to the deal, the last high school pitcher to sign a big league contract was Todd Van Poppel in 1990.

[edit] Florida Marlins: 2000-2005

The Marlins' young stud blazed through the minor leagues. Beckett worked two innings in his first spring training appearance, fanning all six batters he faced. He started 12 games for the Kane County Cougars in 2000, he recorded 61 strikeouts and his ERA was 2.12. His playing time was shortened because of mild shoulder injuries. He pitched one inning in the 2000 Futures Game, walking one but striking out the side in a scoreless frame. Had he qualified, he would have led the Midwest League in ERA. Baseball America still rated him as the top prospect in the 2000 MWL, ahead of players like Albert Pujols, Jake Peavy and Adam Dunn. They also rated him as having the best fastball in the MWL. "Kid Heat" returned to full health in 2001, going 14-1 between Brevard County and Portland. He was named Minor League Player of the Year by both Baseball America and The Sporting News. He made four starts with the Marlins, winning two and posting a 1.50 ERA.

Beckett had the first of many bouts with blisters in 2002. The Marlins sent their hurler to the Disabled List in May, June, and August. He still made 23 appearances for the club, and was able to strikeout 113 hitters in 107 2/3 innings. Beckett was the opening day starter in 2003, but faltered early in the season. In May, he was sent back to the DL with a right elbow sprain. Upon returning in July, Beckett helped push the Marlins into the playoffs. He was 9-8 with a 3.04 ERA. His postseason ERA was 2.11 in six games. He set a NLCS record for fewest hits in a complete game when he 2-hit the Cubs in his first career complete game. The most memorable outing was a complete game shutout in game six of the 2003 World Series. Beckett pitched the Championship clinching game on just three days rest. The performance earned him the World Series Most Valuable Player Award.

2004 brought the young star to the DL three more times; twice for blisters and once for a pulled muscle in his back. Beckett's 9-9 record was a disappointing follow up to Beckett's World Series performance. He delivered 29 starts in 2005, a career best. His record was 15-8 and his ERA was 3.38.

[edit] Boston Red Sox: 2006-Present

With his value at a peak, and the Marlins looking to go in a different direction, Beckett was sent to the Boston Red Sox with Mike Lowell and Guillermo Mota in exchange for a number of prospects - Hanley Ramirez, Anibal Sanchez, Harvey Garcia and Jesus Delgado.

Boston's newest ace surged early in the 2006 season. On May 20, he hit the first home run by a Red Sox pitcher since Marty Pattin in 1972, this one coming in an interleague contest. In July, he signed a three-year extension worth 30 million dollars. Beckett struggled as the season progressed; his ERA for the month of August was 6.38. He finished with a 16-11 record, but his season ERA ballooned to 5.01. Perhaps most important to Red Sox fans, the fireballer was not able to lead the team into the playoffs. In four starts against the Yankees, Beckett's ERA was 9.45. At the same time, Hanley Ramirez pieced together a fantastic season for the Marlins, climaxing in the Rookie of the Year Award.

Beckett's dominance returned in 2007. He charged to the top of the win list with an 8-0 record, and was the victorious pitcher in the 2007 All-Star Game. Beckett finished the season as the American League's lone 20-game winner. He helped the Red Sox sweep the Angels in the ALDS, contributing a complete game shutout in the first game of the series. Beckett was also 2-0 with a 1.93 ERA in the ALCS, and surrendered just one run in seven innings during his only start of the World Series. He is now 6-0 with a 1.73 ERA and 82 strikeouts in ten career postseason appearances.

Sources: JockBio: Josh Beckett Biography, 1999-2007 Baseball Almanacs