ORGANIZATION REPORTS

American League

● Astros import control artist Jayden Murray at the trade deadline PAGE 38

● Twins’ Noah Miller has a lot on his plate at Low-A in his full-season debut PAGE 39

● Rays first-rounder Xavier Isaac uses skepticism to fuel his competitive drive PAGE 40

Beck Uses Height To His Advantage

Orioles area scout Brandon Verley said there’s definitely room for growth with 22-year-old lefthander Jared Beck, drafted in the 13th round this year out of Saint Leo University in Florida.

Beck experienced a growth spurt in eighth and ninth grades—about 11 inches in his estimation—and is now listed at 7 feet, 225 pounds.

Sean Hjelle and Jon Rauch are the tallest players in MLB history at 6-foot-11.

The Orioles are more interested in Beck’s other numbers. He registered a 3.95 ERA in 13 starts this year, with 105 strikeouts in 68.1 innings in his second season after transferring from Illinois State.

“I definitely see him more of a bullpen guy in a shorter stint,” Verley said. “His weapons and his tools, hopefully, continue to tick up and improve. He’s a strike-thrower, so he has that going for him …

“Our player development (staff) is going to be happy to work with him. He’s a bright kid. He wants to be better. He wants to be a guy, so he’s going to do everything in his power, I truly believe, to give himself success.”

Beck ran up a 7.29 ERA in 2021 but looked sharper that summer in the Coastal Plain League, where he allowed three earned runs and struck out 38 in 25.2 innings.

“It kind of came out of nowhere,” Beck said. “I figured it was just the in-game experience for me that was the biggest part. I didn’t really get much opportunity earlier in my college career.”

There was a increase in Beck’s velocity.

“The days I saw him, he was 87-91 (mph),” Verley said, “but in a one-inning fall look on scout day, he was more 90-92. And I’ve had guys tell me that early in the spring last year, he was flashing 94.”

Mechanics are going to be a challenge for Beck because of his long limbs, but he’s an imposing figure on the mound.

“From that angle and that release point, it gets on you at a different clip than a 6-foot righthander. He’s definitely a unique guy.”

—ROCH KUBATKO

Paulino Shows Bat Skill, Flexibility

Marcelo Mayer wasn’t the only notable middle infielder on the Low-A Salem roster.

Eddinson Paulino, who turned 20 in July, has spent plenty of time this year at both shortstop and second base, while also moving to third base and center field.

As a player who grew up moving all over the field in the Dominican