Report: Rays' Beckham tears ACL

Rays No. 16 prospect Tim Beckham reportedly suffered a right knee injury that likely will sideline him for a significant portion of the 2014 season.

The middle infield prospect tore his right ACL during offseason workouts, the Tampa Bay Times reported. He is expected to undergo surgery soon.

The top overall pick in the 2008 Draft has traveled a rocky road as a Minor Leaguer, plagued by disappointing performance and a pair of violations of the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program, the second of which resulted in a 50-game suspension during the 2012 season.

The 23-year-old spent most of this past season with Triple-A Durham, where he hit .276 with four homers, 17 stolen bases and a .729 OPS. Beckham made his Major League debut after leading the Bulls to the International League title and an appearance in the Triple-A National Championship Game.

It was something of a breakout season for Beckham, with Durham manager Charlie Montoyo telling MiLB.com he seemed like a new player after the All-Star break.

"I know the ball sounds different off his bat," the skipper said at the Triple-A title game.

Beckham played five games with Tampa Bay, spending time at both shortstop and second base and going 3-for-7 with an RBI and a run scored.