Baseball America Beast Awards

The national publication of amateur baseball, Baseball America, announced the Mattingly Beast Award Winners for May. They are Eric Hosmer, Tim Beckham, Jaff Decker, and Kyle Beverly.

These four high schoolers are having outstanding seasons, and were rated as top prospects and potential first rounders in the June Major League amateur draft — in fact, Beckham turned out to be the first overall pick in the draft!

Following are profiles of these “Beastly” hitters.

Eric Hosmer (Cooper City, FL) - Through May 9 Hosmer was second on his team with 11 home runs and was batting .451/.588/.951 in 82 at-bats. He has the best power of any high school player eligible for the 2008 draft and rivals some of the top college hitters. In 31 games, his team, American Heritage High School, has connected for 74 home runs, an unprecedented number for high school baseball.

 

 

 

 

Jaff Decker (Peoria, AZ) - Decker simply destroyed Arizona prep pitchers this season. He broke the state records for batting average (.565) and doubles (16), while smashing 17 home runs and 53 RBIs in 85 at-bats. He also starred on the mound, but his team fell just short of their state title run, losing a close ball game to Scottsdale’s Horizon High.

 

 

 

 

Tim Beckham (Griffin, GA) - Arguably the most athletic player in the draft, Beckham had an extremely impressive summer in 2007 and has continued to put up big numbers in his final high school campaign. In 78 at-bats he was hitting an even .500 with 40 runs scored and 31 RBIs. He also had stolen 16 bases. He has a chance to be a five-tool player and has been speculated as the first pick overall in June.

 

 

 

 

Kyle Beverly (Midvale, UT) - He may not be a high draft pick like others, but Oregon State would be very excited to get Beverly’s services beginning in the fall of 2008. He is very athletic and has fundamentally sound swing. STATS : .323 avg, 22 H, 7 2B, 1 3B, 5 HR, 26 R, 26 RBIs, 18 BB, 7 SB