Orioles pitching prospect Jared Beck is navigating a path to become one of the most unique pitchers in Major League Baseball history.
Beck, a 7-foot, 225-pound left-handed pitcher for Low-A Delmarva, can become the tallest player to ever reach the major leagues. His quest toward the Orioles roster has been met with steady improvements despite some unusual challenges.
With a towering frame, Beck faces some challenges regarding his mechanics and repeating his delivery that many of his 6-foot counterparts don’t have to go through. Still, Beck’s length means he gets more extension on his delivery, giving batters less time to react.
“My levers are way longer than the average person, but it’s just about kind of just staying within my body, not getting too long, not getting too wide,” Beck said on Glenn Clark Radio May 26. “It’s about moving quick, kind of compact. It’s almost like moving like a little guy in a big man’s body.”
Beck has thought about his career trajectory given that a consistent delivery is so important to success. He’s open to contributing in any way possible and could see himself as a relief pitcher.
“I can honestly see myself doing both,” Beck said. “I know everybody wants to be a starter — you know, all the big guys throw all the innings — but I think I can get the job done in any role that they would want from me. I’m thinking either like a long relief, starter role, one-inning guy, I’d like to do any of it.”
Beck was the Orioles 13th-round selection (No. 377 overall) in the 2022 MLB Draft out of Saint Leo University (Fla.). The 22-year-old is in his second season with the Shorebirds after appearing in four games in his debut season.
This season, Beck has made nine appearances (five starts), recording a 1-2 record with a 4.91 ERA and 1.82 WHIP. He has struck out 41, walked 18 and allowed 25 runs in 33 innings. The numbers aren’t exactly where Beck would want them to be, but he has been working on his game and steadily improving.
Beck says his average velocity has been going up slightly every outing. He recently hit 96 mph, which was the hardest he had ever thrown.
“It’s more of a process at this point, especially first year, so getting into the swing of things, kind of working on what I’m trying to work on right now,” Beck said. “… We’re working every day, lot of positive stuff going on right now. The velo is ticking up right now, it’s kind of a good spot for that to do that.”
The giant left-hander has looked at every experience as a step toward his goal of playing in the major leagues. He previously pitched for the Savannah Bananas, helping the team win the Coastal Plain League championship in 2021. Now strictly an exhibition squad, the Bananas remain one of the best shows in baseball.
Beck believes the experience gave him a level of confidence that helped him become a better pitcher.
“I’m going to look back on this 20 years from now, 30 years from now and be like, ‘This was one of the best experiences with baseball I’ve ever had,'” Beck said. “It was the coolest thing ever. It kind of like changed my mentality of pitching and how to get things done.”
For more from Beck, listen to the full interview here:
Photo Credit: Joey Gardner