CHICAGO – The Chicago White Sox have agreed to terms on a minor-league contract with former University of Georgia infielder Gordon Beckham, the club’s 2008 first-round choice (eighth overall).
Beckham, 21, hit .411 with 22 doubles, 28 home runs, 77 RBIs and 17 stolen bases during his junior season in 2008, leading the Bulldogs to the College World Series finals. In the three-game CWS loss to Fresno State, Beckham went 7-for-12 (.583) with two home runs and five RBIs.
He ranked among the NCAA Division I leaders in home runs (T1st), runs scored (2nd, 97), total bases (2nd, 226), hits (4th, 113) and slugging percentage (5th, .804). Beckham also finished his Georgia career with a school-record 53 home runs.
The 6-foot, 190-pounder was a finalist for the USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award and the Dick Howser Award, garnered First-Team All-America accolades and was named SEC Player of the Year. Beckham also was ranked by Baseball America as the third-best collegiate athlete in the draft and the No. 6 draft prospect overall.
Beckham will report to Class A Kannapolis tomorrow.
