Gordon Beckham Compares to…Alex Rodriguez?

Scouting the second highest rated shortstop in the upcoming draft…

Beckham has a high leg kick that he gets down relatively quickly. Kind of like speeding up a delivery can improve the velocity for a pitcher, you want to get that leg up and back down forcefully and quickly before rotating your hips. Beckham does this, but he doesn’t do it with the greatest efficiency…

The actions Beckham incorporates with his swing are similar to Alex Rodriguez.  However, there are a few differences in which Rodriguez is much more efficient in the way he uses his body.

For instance, as both players stride forward, you can see Beckham’s bat begin to separate from his body, while Rodriguez is able to keep that bat connected with his body as he moves forward.

The significance? Rodriguez has the luxury of waiting before making the committment to swing. Since Beckham has a longer swing, he has to start the bat earlier than you ideally want…