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After nine appearances in his first Western Canadian Baseball League season, rookie pitcher Reid Beck has settled into a groove with the Saskatoon Berries.
Nearing the All-Star break and already past the midway mark of the Berries season, Beck has become a key part of Saskatoon’s bullpen as the team sits atop the East Division standings.
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“There’s not a bad guy here,” Beck said. “Everyone’s really nice and we just mess around all the time, pretty much.”
In 13.2 innings of action this summer, the Meadow Lake player has served as a set-up pitcher for Saskatoon’s group of closers, giving up just 11 hits to go along with 13 strikeouts and a 5.93 earned run average.
It’s the third season in a row a player named Beck has suited up for the Berries at Cairns Field, as Reid is following in the footsteps of one of the greatest players in the franchise’s history.
“It’s really fun,” Beck said. “My cousin used to play on this team and I used to watch games, so it’s pretty nice being a part of it now.”
It’s a family affair for the Becks, with Reid’s older cousin Carter just days away from being taken in the MLB Draft after two standout seasons in the outfield for the Berries.
A path from the small community of Carnduff, Sask. to the major leagues is one which Reid is aiming to emulate.
“It kind of almost doesn’t seem like it’s real,” Reid said. “I was watching him when he was in Carnduff, and now he’s hitting in MLB stadiums. It’s pretty crazy.”
Saskatoon Berries pitcher Reid Beck is following in the footsteps of his cousin Carter Beck, who became a two-time WCBL all-star with the Berries. (Steve Hiscock/Saskatoon Berries)
A two-time WCBL all-star while with the Berries, Carter said the environment at Cairns Field will be perfect for Reid to grow as a pitcher and get in some valuable innings this summer.
“He just needs to get some more experience,” Carter said.
“It’s going to be really good for him to get around some people who are at a little higher levels and just see how they act. Hopefully he can grow a lot there, but I think there’s a lot of talent in him. He’s just got to find it and get through it.”
Reid is fresh off his freshman season at Cloud County Community College in Kansas, where he got his first taste of playing at the collegiate level. He said he’s taking those lessons back to his home province, with more of an opportunity to see the diamond this summer.
“The coaches are really good at (Cloud County),” Reid said. “It’s nice and I’m just trying to take it over here.”
Reid first landed on the radar of Berries head coach Joe Carnahan a few years ago, as he spent time with the Berries Baseball Academy before jumping to the college level at Cloud County.
According to Carnahan, Reid’s skill set is still very raw, but he believes he has all the tools he needs to become a dominant pitcher in the WCBL.
“He has good stuff,” Carnahan said. “It’s just a matter of being able to command the zone and trust his stuff. He’s a young kid and he’s got a bright future ahead of him.”
While many of the Beck jerseys in the stands at Cairns Field sport his cousin’s number, 20, Reid said it’s neat to walk into a ballpark where his name is recognized.
“This is cool,” Reid said. “I didn’t even think about it like that, honestly. It’s really cool.”
As for Carter, he’s preparing to take the next step of his baseball journey to the professional ranks, with a shot at being the highest-drafted MLB athlete ever to come out of Saskatchewan.
While his time with the Berries has come to an end, he said he’s glad to see another member of his family carrying on the Beck legacy.
“I think it’s super cool just putting the name out there,” Carter said.
“To be homegrown talent in Saskatchewan and set the door forward – as much as some other teams might not like to hear this – for where the best players in Saskatchewan want to go.”
Reid is determined to put his own stamp on the Berries’ mound, however, while maybe adding another pitch – the change-up – to his arsenal this summer.
The Berries (21-11) kick off a three-game set against the Swift Current 57s on the road on Friday night before returning to Cairns Field on Saturday for a 6 p.m. opening.
–with files from meadowlakeNOW’s Kenneth Cheung
