LA Angels Prospect Interview: 66ers RHP Jeremy Beasley

Halo Hangout recently stopped by The LA Angels Class A Advanced Minor League affiliate the Inland Empire 66ers. Jeremy Beasley is a recent call up from Low A Burlington, where he pitched to a 2.35 ERA in 23 IP. His debut with the 66ers was a success, Beasley logging a 4 IP save  against the Lake Elsinore Storm on May 17th. Halo Hangout spoke with the young athlete following his debut.

After a 4 IP, zero earned run start with the Burlington Bees on May 12th the young, aspiring future LA Angel was given his ticket to ride up the organization once more. At the age of 22, in his second season, Jeremy Beasley made his debut with the Inland Empire 66ers.

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It’s very easy to see why the promising athlete was given his promotion to Class A Advanced after 23 IP; he kept hitters under a .200 batting average while simultaneously hobbling their power by holding them to a .266 slugging percentage. Not only we’re hitters missing the ball at an unbelievable rate, but when he did get opposing hitters on contact they may as well have been swinging wet newspapers. His control of the strike zone is tight-knit and the quality of his stuff leaves hitters in constant fits.

RHP Jeremy Beasley #39

H.H: You made your Cal League debut with a 4 IP save on May 17^th. How are you feeling with the new club?

BEASLEY: I’m feeling good man, we got a really team and I think that we’ve got everything kinda figured out. Like today,  we brought out the bats and the pitching was really well . We’re just really working hard and I’m glad to be a part of these team to let you know. We’re a really talented team. Seems like we’ve got a lot of guys who have been here a while. It’s a really good team and I’m just glad to be here.

H.H: With the Bees you kept hitters under a .200 batting average, what are you working on to continue that success with the 66ers?

BEASLEY: I’ve been working on everything since the offseason; trying to force contact, let my team behind me do their thing. Just trying to have fun, it’s a process and I just go out there and attack the hitters. I work fast and I make sure the hitters have to swing and make ‘em swing over. I just go out there and have a lot of fun.

Career HR’s allowed: Three (58.2 IP)

What truly impressed about Jeremy Beasley is his attitude towards the game. To put it simply, he’s a fierce competitor. This is a guy who doesn’t like to take anything except “sit down” as an answer from opposing hitters, and when they do Beasley buckles down even harder. When men get on base against Beasley opposing hitters bat .100 points lower than with the bases empty; with Bases Empty his slash line is at .224/.286/.276, and with men on base he keeps hitters to a .139/.214/.250 slash.

The mental dominance of Beasley is unquestionable, the power of his stuff is clearly unmanageable as a hitter, and his next ticket to ride up is soon to be.

2018 ERA: 2.67

H.H: Opposing hitters are batting nearly .100 points lower with runners on base against you. How does your mentality change with guys on?

BEASLEY: Well honestly I kinda get angry whenever they get on base. You know, I feel like nobody can really get on base on me; like I said, it’s just a process, whenever they get on base I put my head down and just do my own little thing. I kinda get angry at the guys and try to force it down their throat and get themselves out.

H.H: You haven’t allowed a home run all season and have hitters at a .266 slugging percentage, how are you keeping hitters from driving the ball?

BEASLEY: Well, trying to keep the ball down and changing their eye level. That’s the big thing about this game is that once you change the hitters eye level, you go back down and they’re not looking for it so they kinda swing over the ball. It’s like I said, just forcing the ball down their throat. Having an attack mentality, really aggressive towards the hitter. Work faster than they do and think faster than they do.

Next: Can Hermosillo Win the Starting RF Job?

RHP Jeremy Beasley #31

All athletes are competitors, but whats going on inside Beasley is next level. Like ex-Angels favorite Jered Weaver, this young prospect is a dominating bulldog on the mound. He doesn’t just pride himself on his ability to embarrass and sit down hitters, he thrives on it. Every out strengthens Beasley and when guys happen to get on it only throws gas on his internal fire. It seems like there’s no way you can with against him; you’re already in a terrible spot to start given his sub-.200 batting average against opposing hitters and even if you get on the next guy is in a worse spot than you were with Beasley keeping you to a .139 average.

With a head like that on our shoulders the real question isn’t “if” you’ll get to the biggest stage of competition, but when.