Former SF Giants top pick could be moving overseas for the 2023 season

A former SF Giants top pick is receiving interest from overseas. According to Sung Min Kim, the Hochi News is reporting that the Yomiuri Giants of the Nippon Professional Baseball league (NPB) is showing interest in right-handed hurler Tyler Beede.

Former SF Giants top pick could be moving overseas for the 2023 season

Beede was originally a first round pick by the Giants in the first round of the 2014 draft out of Vaderbilt University. Oddly enough, he was selected in the first round of the 2011 draft by the Toronto Blue Jays out of Lawrenece Academy, but he did not sign.

Given his draft pedigree, the Giants had hoped that he would develop into a reliable starter. And, there were moments when it looked like he would realize those expectations such as winning the ERA title (2.81) across 24 starts in the Eastern League in 2016.

The right-handed hurler debuted with the Giants in 2018 where he allowed seven earned runs in 7.2 frames. He received his longest look in 2019 as he posted a 5.08 ERA, 5.03 FIP, 1.47 WHIP, 8.7 K/9, and a 2,46 SO/W ratio in 117 innings for the Giants.

The overall numbers did not look great but Beede finished with 3.28 ERA in the final month of the season, so it felt like he was getting stronger as the year progressed. He had an inside track to earn a spot in the starting rotation in 2020, but he injured his pitching elbow in spring training that resulted in Tommy John surgery.

Beede really struggled with his command following the injury, which is not too surprising as it can often take multiple years for a pitcher to regain his old form following surgery. He began the 2022 season with the Giants, but he struggled to carve out a role in the bullpen.

The 29-year-old tallied a 4.66 ERA in six appearances before being designated for assignment. Teams were allowed to keep 28 players on the active roster to start the year, but that number was reduced to 26 in May. This proved to be the end of Beede's tenure in San Francisco as he was plucked off of waivers by the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Pittsburgh had a much bigger need for pitching, so this felt like a good opportunity for the former top prospect as he needed a change of scenery. However, Beede recorded a 5.23 ERA in 25 appearances before clearing waivers and becoming a free agent.

Beede still flashes a quality curve ball, but it feels like a trip overseas might be the best move for him at this point. The Yomiuri Giants posted a 3.69 ERA in 2022, which was the worst mark in the NPB, so there is certainly room for improvement. Perhaps, Beede can help them turn the pitching staff around.