Jagger Beck grew up with dreams of being a professional athlete playing baseball, basketball and football in high school. This week, that dream became a reality when he signed with the Astros as a non-drafted free agent.
The right-handed pitcher will forgo his commitment to Hawaii to start his professional career with the Astros.
A decision to pass on college and start a professional career is not always an easy one to make. But for Beck, it was something he knew he wanted to do.
“Decision was that I always wanted to be a pro baseball player out of High School and I had a chance so I took it,” Beck said. “Also, I will be developing in front of the best coaches in all of baseball.”
Going from Friday night starter in High School to being a paid professional in a matter of weeks is a huge change. Beck wasn’t alone in this decision and had the support from his family too.
“I had a lot of support for my decision because they also know that nothing is guaranteed, meaning if I went to college there’s a possibility that I won’t get another chance to go pro after,” Beck said.
Beck is a big kid, listed at 6’6″ and 205 lbs. Kenny Van Doren noted that the Astros see Beck as a highly projectable pitcher that boasts impressive spin and sits 89-90 MPH, topping at 91 MPH. The contact with the Astros in the draft process started early too.
“I first came in contact with the Astros at my very first game of my senior year and they came to pretty much everyone so I know the faces and got familiar with them,” Beck said.
On top of being a projectable arm, Beck is also the youngest player the Astros came away with during this draft period. Beck is only 17 years old and won’t turn 18 until November. Just another reason for the Astros to be excited to get a talent like Beck.
“It is incredible to be with them [Astros] because I knew there was a chance it could happen and now that I’m here, I have no regrets and it’s a really awesome experience,” Beck said.
Be sure to follow on X, @AstrosFuture, follow me on Instagram, @AstrosFuture and like my Facebook page, facebook.com/AstrosFuture.
