March 2, 2012; Dunedin, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Chad Beck (58) poses for a portrait during photo day at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
The 27-year-old reliever has made 17 appearances in the Major Leagues, all with the Blue Jays. Beck owns a lifetime ERA of 5.50 and a 6.0 K/9 ratio in the big leagues, but has pitched significantly better in the minor leagues. In Las Vegas in 2012, Beck made 43 appearances with a 1.31 ERA, 18 saves, a 2.08 batting average against, and a 4.5 K/9 ratio while pitching in the hitter friendly PCL.
By claiming Beck, the Blue Jays 40-man roster is once again full. However, one would expect that Beck may see some more time on the waiver wire when Toronto eventually tries to pass him through in order to outright him to Triple-A Buffalo. There just is not a ton of room in the Major League bullpen for a pitcher with a low strike-out rate and a nearly 1:1 ground-ball to fly-ball ratio.
Kyle Franzoni has the unfortunate distinction of having his very first baseball memory be that of Mookie Wilson's slow grounder going through the legs of Bill Buckner. Since then, it has been an up and down love affair with the game, which naturally lead to putting his thoughts to digital paper and trying his hand at writing about the game he loves.
A native of Vermont, where he lives with his wife and twin sons, Kyle is editor of Jays Journal and runs a side project called The Baseball Big Brother Project. He has also published work at Yahoo and Sporting News, in addition to various other sites.
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