There has never been any doubt that Grayslake Central’s Beckham Stone can hit.
But Stone, a fourth-year varsity player who is batting in the heart of the Rams’ order for the third season, continues to get better.
“Growing up, I was looked at as a power hitter, and I guess I still am,” he said. “But now I’m also always focused on making contact.
“I’ve grown into that ability, and now my best trait is probably being able to hit the ball to all fields — that has really helped — and hitting the ball where it’s pitched.”
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When Stone is batting, it doesn’t seem to matter where pitchers locate the ball. The 6-foot-1, 180-pound senior first baseman began the week hitting .440 with a triple, two doubles and nine RBIs for the Rams (5-0), who were scheduled to play Grayslake North in their Northern Lake County Conference opener on Monday.
“I’m selective with what I hit, but if I like what I see, I’ll go get it early,” Stone said. “At the same time, I want to be selective and not get myself out. Especially when I’m hot, I’m always trying to drive the ball to right field and trying not to get to two strikes.”
Stone knows pitchers don’t want to go deep into counts against him. Last season, he batted behind Cal Hanson, who was the Rams’ top hitter. With Hanson at Parkland College, Stone is the main focus for opposing teams.
“I always get excited when he steps into the box, and that says something,” Grayslake Central coach Troy Whalen said. “But with him being the best hitter in the lineup, he’s going to have to be patient because he’s probably not going to see a ton of good pitches. He’ll have to take advantage of what he sees.”
So far, so good for Stone. Although the teams the Rams played on their trip to Florida during spring break likely didn’t have a scouting report on him, Stone will be prepared for what’s coming. He understands there’s more to the game than physical prowess.
“When people say that baseball is 90-95% mental, I believe that,” he said. “Getting mentally right before games is pretty important.”
Consistency helps. Stone knows he will play in the field every game this season. That wasn’t the case in the past, when he and Hanson split time at first base.
“It’s a little harder playing defense when it’s unstable whether you know or not if you’re going to play or not,” he said. “Now I save more runs out at first base. My footwork has gotten much better, and I feel a lot lighter on my feet, and I’ve gotten much better at throwing on the run.
“You have confidence in knowing you’ll be out there every day.”
Stone is also embracing a leadership role this season. Sophomore Karl McDonald, who lives two doors down from Stone and has played in the neighborhood with him for years, and sophomore Daniel Cope have received tips from him.
“It feels a little bit like coaching, and that usually means you have good team chemistry,” Stone said. “To watch people do something that you’ve talked about with them is awesome.”
Senior catcher Soren Hansen has learned from Stone too.
“We do a lot of hitting in the winter, and I noticed him purposely hitting down on balls, and he said that’s a way to avoid rolling over on balls,” Hansen said. “Now that’s one of my main drills — to try to hit the top of the ball and almost hit the plate with the ball. It’s pretty helpful.”
Stone’s desire to assist other people has prompted him to consider his future outside of baseball. He has taken steps toward a real estate career by helping stage homes and working in the Keller Williams office in Grayslake. Stone intends to take the Illinois real estate exam later in the spring.
“I’m in there almost every other day helping out,” he said. “I’ve got two younger brothers who are 11 and 9, and I’d really like to be around for them when they’re older. Life is short, and I know that after the next six to eight weeks, it’ll be over. I’m trying to embrace as much as I can.”
Steve Reaven is a freelance reporter.