masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgANAHEIM, Calif. – Orioles infielder Tim Beckham doesn’t seem too interested in trying to analyze his stunning start with the Orioles. But after going 14-for-24 (.583) in his first six games with the team, today Beckham was named the latest American League Player of the Week.
One thing that Beckham will credit for some of his success, he’s played every day since arriving in Baltimore.
“It’s a good feeling, man,” Beckham said this afternoon in the visiting clubhouse. “It’s a good feeling…

ANAHEIM, Calif. – Orioles infielder Tim Beckham doesn’t seem too interested in trying to analyze his stunning start with the Orioles. But after going 14-for-24 (.583) in his first six games with the team, today Beckham was named the latest American League Player of the Week.

One thing that Beckham will credit for some of his success, he’s played every day since arriving in Baltimore.

“It’s a good feeling, man,” Beckham said this afternoon in the visiting clubhouse. “It’s a good feeling when you don’t have to look over your shoulder when you’re walking to the plate, knowing you might get pinch-hit for. Or they don’t really have the confidence in you to put together a good at-bat late in the game. Like I said, a good feeling to come to the field and know you will be in the lineup and can contribute to a team’s success every night.”

Tim-Beckham-at-bat-white-sidebar.jpgBeckham posted a .583/.600/1.167 slash line with three doubles, a triple, three home runs, six RBIs and six runs scored to earn his first Player of the Week honor. He had multi-hit games in his first five Orioles games until going 1-for-4 on Sunday. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Beckham became the first player in modern Major League history (since 1900) to record 13 hits and three homers in his first five games with a team.

Now Beckham finds himself getting attention and awards.

“Anytime you get a reward for good play on the field it’s a blessing. Just want to keep it going, try to win a game every night.

“I don’t think too much of it (the added attention). Just want to come in and keep making the game simple, man. Try not to do too much. Stay within myself and focus on winning.”

Beckham was asked if the trade gave him a positive jolt of sorts. He hit .160 in July with Tampa Bay, going 8-for-50, and now has eight more hits in 26 fewer at-bats.

“I mean, I love playing the game. Show up every day and I’m ready to play. I wouldn’t say I got a jolt by being traded, I just want to compete every day and leave it all on the field. Just want to keep focusing on my routine, trusting my routine and playing good defense.

“I’ve kept the same routine. Don’t want to do anything different. Just trust my approach. It is easy sometimes to try and do too much with a pitch. I’m focusing on putting the barrel to the ball and good things will happen,” he said.