Beeks Named Pitcher Of The Year

PRAIRIE GROVE -- The Boston Red Sox paid tribute to their minor league star, Jalen Beeks, a 2011 Prairie Grove graduate and former Arkansas Razorback, as Minor League Pitcher of the Year for 2017 with a ceremony held at the parent club's major league venue, Fenway Park on Sept. 29.

Beeks posted career-bests in earned run average and strikeouts on his way to being named the Red Sox's minor league pitcher of the year. Beeks, 24, was one of six minor league players recognized in a pregame ceremony prior to the Sept. 29 Boston game against the Houston Astros.

The same day his wife, Brie Beeks, posted a tribute on Twitter, "We're so incredibly proud of you, J! I've had so much fun watching your journey and have been in awe of the Lord's work in you and the opportunities He has blessed you with. He is so faithful and loves giving his children good gifts."

Statistically, Beeks was in the zone this season. He was fifth among qualifying Red Sox minor league pitchers with a 3.29 ERA and second with 155 strikeouts in 26 combined starts between Class AA Portland, Maine, and Class AAA Pawtucket, R.I. Both numbers represented career-bests for Beeks, who went 5-1 with a 2.19 ERA and held batters to a .199 batting average in his 9 starts at Portland starts.

That stint was highlighted by a 25-inning scoreless streak from April 22 throgh May 18, the second-longest in Portland franchise history. On June 3, Beeks was promoted to the Pawtucket Red Sox, Boston's Triple A affiliate, and finished second on the team with 97 strikeouts in 95⅔ innings. Beeks' record as a starter was 6-7 with a 3.86 ERA. He had no decision in four starts.

Beeks was selected in the 12th round by the Red Sox in the 2014 draft. To date, he has a 29-23 career record and 3.78 ERA with 374 strikeouts and 135 walks in the minor leagues. The upside of this is Beeks will need to be added to Boston's 40-man roster during the offseason to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.