(Wausau, WI) Mitchell Beacom, a 6’9” lefty reliever from UCLA, has signed with the Wisconsin Woodchucks for the 2010 summer. Beacom, a third-year sophomore, is providing quality innings out of the ‘pen for a UCLA team seemingly destined for extensive postseason play with a 37-11 record.
Beacom’s stats this season are deceiving, as his 4.76 earned run average doesn’t tell the whole story. Through 17 innings pitched out of the pen, Beacom boasts an extraordinary 0.88 WHIP with a .185 opponent batting average- making his higher ERA a statistical oddity.
“We can’t wait to get him here and see him in a game situation. We’re (gonna) bring him out of the bullpen; that’s what he’s used to and comfortable with,” said Woodchucks manager Guido Aspeitia on the young southpaw. “He can pretty much throw every day, we’re not going to do that obviously, but he can bounce back pretty quick.”
A San Diego native, Beacom’s combination of size, deceptive velocity, and a quirky sidearm delivery gives most hitters, especially lefties, a challenging look. “He runs the ball up there pretty well, and it actually seems a lot faster just because of his height,” said Aspeitia. “We probably won’t see him until a little later, because they (UCLA) think they’re going to go pretty far [into the postseason].”
Beacom should be an imposing presence on, and off the mound for the ‘Chucks this summer. His experience and ability coming out of the bullpen, especially from the left side, should be an invaluable tool for an increasingly impressive 2010 ‘Chucks bullpen.
The Woodchucks 2010 home opener is on Thursday, June 3rd as they take on the Madison Mallards. For group outing/ticket information contact the Woodchucks office at 715-845-5055 or visit the Woodchucks website at woodchucks.com.
