Position: LHP
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 215 lbs
Bats/Throws: L/L
Born: 07/10/1993
College: University of Arkansas
Drafted: 12th round, 374th Overall, 2014 (Red Sox)
How Acquired: Trade (with Rockies for Luis Peralta)
Bonus: $150,000
40-man Roster: Yes
Rule 5 Eligible: N/A
Minor League Free Agency: N/A
Options Left: N/A
Overview
The Red Sox drafted Beeks in round 12 after he had a big junior season at Arkansas. His short-stocky stature isn’t common for pitchers, but he was thought to have a chance to make it as a 5th starter. He was a starter throughout his time in the minors, but he’s been a reliever — apart from sometimes serving as an opener — in the majors. Beeks’ velocity increased after a couple years in the majors and now is generally 94-95 mph. He also throws a cutter and change, with the cutter possibly being his best pitch. In the majors, Beeks has had solid rather than impressive K rates, and fairly good walk rates. He doesn’t dominate, with opponents putting up a .743 OPS against him over the course of his career. He’s had no platoon split.
2014-17
After a brief debut, Beeks had a 4.32 ERA as a starter in Low A in 2015. In 2016, he had a good first half in High A and got a mid-season promotion to AA. He didn’t pitch especially well there, with a 4.68 ERA and 1.53 WHIP. Beeks’ 7.5 K/9 for the full year was only fair. He returned to AA in 2017, but a 2.19 ERA in nine starts got him a promotion. He had a 3.86 ERA in 17 starts in AAA. Beeks’ K rates was much better in 2017, for a 9.6 K/9. The Red Sox added him to the roster after the season.
2018-21
Beeks made a couple appearances the Red Sox, one in June and one in July, but otherwise stayed in AAA and pitched very well through late July. He had a 2.89 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 12.1 K/9. A few days before the trade deadline, Boston sent him to Tampa Bay. Beeks pitched in relief for the Rays through late August, posting a 4.47 ERA.
Beeks spent nearly all of 2019 pitching in relief in the majors, a lot of the time in long relief roles. He had a 4.31 ERA,1.49 WHIP and just a 7.7 K/9. Beeks returned to a relief role in 2020, striking out over a dozen batters per inning, but he went on the disabled list in late August with an elbow strain. He eventually had Tommy John surgery and missed the 2021 season.
2022-24
Back from the surgery, Beeks had his best season in 2022. He put up a 2.80 ERA and 10.3 K/9. He then spent 2023 traveling back and forth between AAA and the majors. He wasn’t especially effective in the majors, with 5.95 ERA and 1.49 WHIP. After the season, the Rockies claimed Beeks off waivers from the Rays. Shortly after the season ended, the Rays designated Beeks for assignment and the Rockies claimed him.
In 2024, Beeks spent much of the season’s first four months as the Colorado closer. He wasn’t exceptionally effective, posting a 4.74 ERA and 1.36 WHIP. His K/9 dropped to 6.9. Shortly before the trade deadline, the Rockies sent Beeks to the Pirates for Luis Peralta. Beeks didn’t pitch well for the Pirates, allowing 28 hits and nine walks, leaving him with a very bad 1.79 WHIP. He struck out only 7.4 per nine innings. Fittingly, the Rockies called Peralta up and he pitched very well for them.
Beeks will be a free agent after the 2024 season.
Stats
Transactions
June 7, 2014: Drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 12th round, 374th overall pick; signed on June 20.
November 20, 2017: Contract purchased by the Boston Red Sox.
July 25, 2018: Traded by the Boston Red Sox to the Tampa Bay Rays for Nathan Eovaldi.
November 6, 2023: Claimed off waivers from the Tampa Bay Rays by the Colorado Rockies.
July 29, 2024: Traded by the Colorado Rockies to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Luis Peralta.