On the clock with Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Jalen Beeks

The Pittsburgh Pirates obtained relief pitcher, 31-year-old Jalen Beeks from the Colorado Rockies during the trade deadline for minor league pitcher Luis Peralta. On the season, Beeks has pitched in 48 games and is 6-4 with a 4.70 ERA.

Beeks was selected in the 12th round of the 2014 MLB draft by the Boston Red Sox out of the University of Arkansas. Beeks started his collegiate career at Crowder Community College and then transferred before his sophomore year to Arkansas. 

Beeks made his MLB debut in 2018 for the Boston Red Sox and went 0-1 with a 12.79 in two outings. After just two appearances for the Red Sox he was dealt to Tampa Bay for starting pitcher Nate Eovaldi. He finished his rookie season for the Rays going 5-0 with a 4.47 ERA. 

Beeks played four more years for the Tampa Bay Rays, before being signed off of waivers this past winter by the Colorado Rockies. 

Draft Nation got to sit down with Jalen Beeks recently to go over his draft experience.

Draft Nation- Were you looked at in high school by scouts?

Jalen Beeks- “No, not to get drafted- no.”

Draft Nation- How hard were you throwing in high school?

Jalen Beeks- “Upper 80’s by my senior season”

Draft Nation- No scouts looking at you at all senior year?

Jalen Beeks- “ Honestly none that I remember.”

Draft Nation- Did you receive any offers from colleges?

Jalen Beeks- “Just one offer and it was from a junior college.”

Draft Nation- When did it start clicking where you thought I can play pro ball?

Jalen Beeks- “I was slow..it took me a while, I guess my sophomore-junior year of college, I never was really recruited or talked to scouts ever, but after my sophomore year I was invited to play in the Cape.”

Draft Nation- In high school were you a good hitter as well?

Jalen Beeks- “Yeah…I thought so.”

Draft Nation- On your draft day, did you have an idea where you were going to be drafted?

Jalen Beeks- “Yeah, I believe everybody has their own draft story. I thought I was going to go earlier than I did. My agent told me he heard within the first five rounds.”

Draft Nation- How did you spend your draft day?

Jalen Beeks- “I spent it at home with a few friends.”

Draft Nation- Any thought of returning to school for your senior season?

Jalen Beeks- “A little bit, yeah. I was thinking about it, but obviously I felt like I wanted to start my professional career.”