51s’ Beam blossoms with switch to starter

A reliever for most of his career, T.J. Beam pitched in every possible role this season for the 51s before finding his niche as a starter.

"I've gotten comfortable with it," the 6-foot-7-inch right-hander said. "It takes a little bit of adjusting coming out of the bullpen, from mainly being a short relief guy for the last four years to all of a sudden being a starter. But I'm getting used to it, and I'm enjoying it."

Beam, 28, made his ninth consecutive start, and 10th of the season, for Las Vegas on Wednesday, when he allowed one run on five hits in seven innings, with eight strikeouts and one walk, in the 51s' 5-1 victory over Round Rock at Cashman Field.

"I really pride myself on going deep into games," he said before his start, which he left with Las Vegas leading 2-1. "The main thing I want is to put my team in position to win the ballgame and give my bullpen help."

After relying solely on his fastball and slider as a reliever the past few years, Beam has added a change-up to his arsenal this season.

"It's really helped out," he said. "I've definitely matured as a pitcher, as opposed to coming out of the bullpen throwing one (type of) pitch or two."

While Beam's best pitch is his fastball, which Las Vegas pitching coach Dave LaRoche said is "exceptional," he also was trying to sharpen his slider and develop his change-up at the same time earlier this season, when he was still a reliever.

But LaRoche said that wasn't feasible.

"We talked about starting him and giving him the chance to pitch some innings and throw his other pitches a lot more, and his slider got excellent," he said. "He wasn't using his change-up much, but in his last two or three starts, he was gaining the confidence in it he had gained in his slider.

"If he can get where he throws the change-up with the same conviction and confidence, he becomes a three-pitch pitcher. If he ends up back in relief, it will help him. If he goes to the big leagues, I know it will help him."

A 10th-round draft pick of the New York Yankees in 2003, Beam spent five seasons in their farm system, making the majors in 2006, when he went 2-0 with an 8.50 ERA in 20 games.

Beam also pitched in the big leagues last year for the Pittsburgh Pirates, going 2-2 with a 4.14 ERA in 32 outings.

Despite his solid showing, Beam was placed on waivers and was claimed by the Blue Jays.

He's 7-3 with a 4.46 ERA this season for the 51s (60-65).

Contact reporter Todd Dewey at tdewey@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0354.