Rays ink top pick Beckham

The Rays chose Beckham out of Griffin High School in Griffin, Georgia with the first overall selection in the First-Year Player Draft on June 5. He immediately received a signing bonus worth over $6 million and is expected to report to Tampa's Appalachian League affiliate in Princeton, West Virginia.

"We are thrilled to add an athlete of Tim's talent and character to our organization," said Rays executive vice president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman. "That we were able to conclude the signing process just two weeks after the draft is a testament to both the relationship that our scouting staff formed with Tim and his family, and of course to Tim's enthusiasm for the game. He has true five-tool potential and we look forward to helping him develop his unique abilities."

Beckham had an even better 2007 season as a junior, hitting a scorching .512 with six home runs, 39 RBI and 20 stolen bases.

Tampa also drafted Beckham's older brother in the 17th round. Jeremy Beckham is an infielder from Georgia State University who signed with the club on June 10 and is already playing at Princeton.