Drew
Beam

USA CNT: The SEC Freshman of the Year, Beam went 8-1, 2.72 with 62 strikeouts and 21 walks in 76 innings as Tennessee’s Sunday starter this spring. His strikeout rate in the spring was lackluster, but he showed advanced pitchability and limited opponents to a meager .186 batting average. His three-inning start in North Carolina this summer was typical Beam: just one strikeout, but also just two groundball singles allowed during three innings of work. With a strong, athletic 6-foot-4, 205-pound frame, Beam attacked from an over-the-top slot at 92-94 mph with very good carry on his fastball despite average spin rates in the 2200s. His best pitch was an 84-87 mph changeup that flashed plus with serious wiggle and tumble along with good arm speed. The biggest key for Beam to take the next step in his development is to tighten up his 81-82 mph slider, which got a bit loose in our look, though it flashed average and he did a good job landing it for a backdoor strike against lefties. Beam has proven he can thrive without missing a ton of bats, but he’ll need to boost that strikeout rate to really raise his stock for the 2024 draft, and the development of a true swing-and-miss breaking ball is likely the biggest key to that end.

The 6-foot-1, 175-pound right hander was dominant at the TBCA showcase in June.  In his scoreless two inning stint, Beam struck out 3 and allowed one base runner via walk. Beam worked 85-88 w/ a S/M breaking ball at 72-73.  Also showed some feel for changeup at 76-78.  Rose from 57 to 20 (+37).  Committed to Tennessee in late July.