Austin Beck

A prime buy-low target, Beck’s dynasty-league managers may have wanted more from his full-season debut, but it was actually a very encouraging campaign. He has plus raw power and plus speed, and the main concern coming into pro ball was whether he would make enough contact for the rest of his tools to shine through. Beck cut his K% from 29.3% in rookie ball to a very manageable 21.9% against Low-A pitchers. He made hard contact to all fields and his .296 AVG was the seventh best mark in the Midwest League. The righty-hitting outfielder did not show pronounced splits (.722 OPS against RHP, .707 OPS against LHP). If Beck can maintain that contact rate, all-fields approach and ability to hit same-handed pitching as he climbs the ladder, his loud power will start to show up in games, leading to more walks. He is much faster than his stolen base totals indicate, but at 6-foot-1, 200 pounds, he may only be a 12-to-15 steal threat by the time he reaches the majors.

A bad overall stat line in his pro debut could provide a buy-low opportunity in dynasty leagues this offseason, as Beck showed signs of life down the stretch and still has one of the highest ceilings in the 2017 draft class. Premium bat speed, plus speed on the bases and the tools to provide value with his outfield defense prompted the A's to select the prep outfielder sixth overall. He proceeded to hit .179/.238/.231 with zero home runs and a 28:4 K:BB in his first 84 plate appearances in the AZL. He missed a week of games at the start of August, but hit .243/.344/.473 with two home runs and a 23:13 K:BB in 90 plate appearances after returning. Whether he hits for a high average will be the big question moving forward. If he hits, or at least gets on base at a good clip, he has the tools to go 25-25 or 30-20, but it will be at least three or four years before he gets to the majors.