The Tampa Bay Rays were prepared for the first pick in the 2008 MLB draft held at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. on June 5-6, 2008. For the second year in a row the Tampa Bay Rays were holding the No 1 pick and this year they selected Tim Beckham, the talented high school shortstop from Griffin, Ga., over Florida State University catcher Buster Posey who was expected to be their first choice but instead the Rays went with Beckham because of his well rounded skills as a fielder and his hitting abilities, leaving Buster Posey to be selected by the San Francisco Giants as their first round (fifth overall) draft pick in 2008.

Tim Beckham (pictured at the left) has been recognized by scouts as one of the best pure athletes in this year’s draft and he has been labeled a legitimate five-tool player. He established himself as the top prep prospect in the nation with solid performances at last summer’s high school showcase events and hit .500 with five homers, 31 RBIs and 16 stolen bases this season.

With the second pick in hand, the Pittsburgh Pirates selected the power swinging Vanderbilt third baseman Pedro Alvarez. Florida high school first baseman Eric Hosmer went to the Kansas City Royals as the third pick overall. The Baltimore Orioles took top college pitching prospect Brian Matusz out of San Diego as the fourth overall pick in this year’s draft. The San Francisco Giants selected catcher Buster Posey as the fifth overall pick.

Here’s the Top Ten overall draft picks for 2008

Catchers must be in high demand because this year there were three of them selected in the top ten overall picks. Two shortstops, both with the last name Beckham were selected in the top ten overall. To see the complete first round results, visit ESPN’s MLB Draft Tracker.

Congratulations to Tim Beckham and all the young, future MLB baseball talent who are making their dreams come true as a result of their hard work and dedication.