Terps Key Pitcher Sander Beck Eyes Baseball Draft

While growing up in Severna Park, Sander Beck played baseball like a lot of young boys his age. But the background of Beck was much different than many of his peers. For one, his father was born in The Netherlands.

His father, Sjoerd, and American mother, Elizabeth, met in California. His father was doing his medical studies at UCLA while his mother was studying film. The Beck family moved to Severna Park when Sander was about age 4, in 1994, and about four years later he began playing organized baseball.

Beck, after a solid academic and athletic career at the Severn School, joined the University of Maryland baseball program as a freshman. Now a junior pitcher, he made several starts last season as a sophomore for the Terps and this year has been one of the top starters for Maryland.

Last year he was 0-8 with an ERA of 7.38 in 16 games, with 15 starts, but this season he is 2-4 with an ERA of 5.60 in 10 games, with eight starts. In 45 innings on the mound he has allowed 51 hits and 38 walks with 48 strikeouts.

"Last year was a stretch for me," the 6-foot-3 right-handed Beck told Patch earlier this week. "Last year was my first year as a weekend starter. I have made good strides (this year) with my approach."

Beck said his statistics are not where he would like them to be. "It is not for lack of preparation," he said. "I had a few good outings early on and want to finish the season strong."

Despite less than impressive numbers, Beck has a fastball that has been clocked in the low 90s. He also throws a slider, change up and curve. Beck attracted the attention of pro scouts last year in the Northwoods League, an amateur circuit, and is eligible to be taken in the annual Major League Baseball draft in early June. Beck threw a no-hitter last August in the Northwoods League.

"I am trying not to worry too much. I will deal with that if it comes," he said of the June draft.

Beck is a strong student and he returns for his senior year would be well on his way to graduate from Maryland. His older brother, Robert, also a good student, is slated to graduate next month from the school in College Park. "I am in no rush to leave the University of Maryland," Sander Beck said. "I think next year we can make a special run."

Sander Beck was also on the chess club at the Severn School. He considered Virginia, Virginia Tech and Coastal Carolina before heading to Maryland. Beck has volunteered for Special Olympics and Habitat for Humanity.

The Terps' roster also includes Severna Park High graduates Kyle Convissar and Alex Ramsay, who are freshmen. Convissar, an infielder, is hitting .238 while Ramsay, a catcher, is hitting .244. Convissar had two hits Wednesday in a 6-1 win in a non-league game George Mason in Fairfax, VA. Convissar and Ramsay were part of the 2009 state title team for the Falcons of Severna Park.

Other ties for the Terps to Anne Arundel County include senior pitcher Eric Potter, a graduate of Arundel High. The director of baseball operations for Maryland is Bernie Walter, the former head baseball coach and athletic director at Arundel High.