The Road to The Show™: Rockies’ Beck

Each week, MiLB.com profiles an elite prospect by chronicling the steps he's taken toward achieving his Major League dream. Here's a look at fourth-ranked Rockies prospect Jordan Beck. For more stories about players on The Road to The Show, click here.

It’s been just a little more than a week into the 2024 season, and Jordan Beck already seems like he’s not long for the Pacific Coast League.

The Rockies’ No. 4 prospect has gotten off to a terrific start for Triple-A Albuquerque. So far, he’s recorded six extra-base hits, including three homers, with nine RBIs and seven runs scored in his first eight games at the level. Beck leads the hitter-friendly league with a .786 slugging percentage and ranks third with a 1.230 OPS.

Although it’s just a small, eight-game sample, the 22-year-old Beck has been an extra-base hit machine throughout his year-plus in the Minors. In his first full season in 2023, Beck was one of only five Minor Leaguers to record at least 25 homers, 34 doubles and two triples.

The 6-foot-2, 225-pound outfielder provides more than just his considerable raw power. He’s quite athletic for a player of his size and was even aggressive on the bases last season, collecting 20 steals – which was six more than his three-year total at the University of Tennessee.

MLB Pipeline’s No. 76 overall prospect is also a capable defender at all three outfield positions with plus arm strength. He’s played more left field than any other position as a pro, but he’s seen significant time in both center and right.

Beck was able to hit the ground running in Albuquerque after a terrific Cactus League performance this spring. He finished with a .370 average, two doubles, a triple and seven RBIs in 27 at-bats to earn the Abby Greer Award, which the Rockies award annually to the team’s Spring Training MVP (player development emphasis).

“He’s very confident in himself and his abilities -- that’s a big plus when you’re in your first big league camp and trying to show off your skills,” Colorado hitting coach Hensley Meulens told MLB.com in March. “And he works, too. When he comes to the cage, he knows exactly what to do. But the most important thing is he competes at a high level -- it doesn't matter who's pitching or who it’s against. That doesn't bother him.”

Beck was born and raised in SEC country and was a two-sport star at Hazel Green HS in Alabama. He also played on the Trojans’ basketball team, which reached the state semifinals in 2018.

But it was evident that his future was on the diamond, where he was a three-time Alabama Sports Writers Association All-State selection. He led the school to its first state championship as a junior and was a Perfect Game Preseason All-American in each of his final two seasons.

As a senior, Beck was named Super 10 Player of the Year and Class 6A Hitter of the Year, batting .500 with 13 homers, 16 doubles and 52 RBIs.

The Red Sox selected Beck in the 14th round of the 2019 Draft, but he honored his commitment to Tennessee.

He was an immediate contributor in Knoxville, appearing in 16 games and batting .275 with an .871 OPS, one homer and five doubles before the pandemic halted the season. Upon his return to campus the next spring, Beck led the Vols with 15 homers and 64 RBIs, adding 16 doubles while producing a .523 slugging percentage.

The strong season earned an invite to the prestigious Cape Cod League, where he batted .267 with a .777 OPS, seven extra-base hits and 10 RBIs for Harwich.

Beck entered his final college season on the Golden Spikes Award Preseason watch list and a number of Preseason All-American lists. He responded in kind, recording 36 extra-base hits, including 18 homers, and 61 RBIs while batting .298 with a .986 OPS.

There were some concerns about his swing and miss troubles heading into the Draft – he whiffed in more than 20 percent of his plate appearances his junior season. But he still ranked as MLB Pipeline’s No. 23 overall Draft prospect and was widely viewed as a first-round talent.

Colorado went the college route with their first two picks, and stayed with that plan with their Competitive Balance selection to nab Beck with the No. 38 overall pick. The Rockies were able to ink Beck to a reported $2.2 million bonus, which was slightly above slot value.

He made his professional debut in the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League, where he collected six extra-base hits and 10 RBIs over 15 games before helping the club reach the league championship series. Although the ACL Rockies did not win the circuit title, Beck provided three hits in 13 at-bats, including a homer and a double.

After the championship series, he was elevated to Single-A Fresno. Over the final 11 regular season games with the Grizzlies, Beck batted .282 with two homers, two doubles and nine RBIs. He also drew 13 walks and struck out just nine times. For the second time in a month, Beck was unfortunately on the losing end of a championship series as Fresno was swept by Lake Elsinore. Beck recorded six hits, all singles, in the Grizzlies four playoff games.

Beck was tremendous during his first full season in 2023, earning Northwest League MVP honors for High-A Spokane. Over 76 games, he produced a .292/.378/.566 slash line with 20 homers, 19 doubles and 72 RBIs while swiping 11 bases. By the time he was promoted to Double-A Hartford at the All-Star break, Beck led the league in homers, RBIs, total hits (86), total bases (167) and runs (62).

Following the promotion, Beck finished the year batting .240 with a .748 OPS, five homers, 15 doubles and 19 RBIs over 50 games.

While the Eastern League competition seemed to catch up to him as some fatigue set in during his first full season, Beck has only gotten better since taking a step forward in Spring Training and with Albuquerque. With his exciting combination of power and athleticism, Beck can soon provide a jolt for a Rockies club that hasn’t gotten off to the best of starts this season.