Beckham to make pro debut tonight

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Beckham to make pro debut tonight
06/26/2008 2:38 PM ET
By Jonathan Mayo / MLB.com

PRINCETON, W.Va. -- Ever since Tim Beckham, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2008 draft, officially signed with the Tampa Bay Rays on June 19, the question has been when he would make his pro debut.
The answer: Thursday night. Fans can listen in on MiLB.com Gameday Audio at 7 p.m. ET.
Beckham, the high school shortstop from Griffin, Ga., will be in the starting lineup for the Princeton Devil Rays, Tampa's affiliate in the rookie-level Appalachian League. Those wanting to see his defensive skills will have to wait. Beckham will be the DH against the Burlington Royals, hitting in the No. 2 spot in the order.
"This is our second go-round with this," said Princeton general manager Jim Holland, referring to having No. 1 overall pick Josh Hamilton make his professional debut here back in 1999. "So we're prepared for it. We hope Tim's will be a successful chapter that helps get him to the big leagues. We're anxious to get started. I know he is."
Beckham has been with the P-Rays since signing, starting workouts on Monday and getting himself prepared for this moment. His brother, Jeremy, a 17th-round pick of the Rays out of Georgia Southern, has played in five games so far for Princeton, going 4-for-14 (.286) with one RBI and a stolen base. Now younger brother Tim is ready to join him in the lineup for the rest of the summer.
Beckham became one of the quickest No. 1 overall picks to sign when he agreed to a reported $6.15 million bonus just two weeks after hearing his named called. Now he can begin the climb to the big leagues with his first professional at-bats here in Princeton. "He's had a lot of energy since he's been here," Holland said. "You can tell he's antsy."
This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.