http://masnsports.com/2009/03/os-prospect-billy-rowell-is-le.html
I greatly question this move by the Orioles.
While I understand the rationale of wanting to lower some of the pressure on Rowell, and let him concentrate on producing with the bat (which is what will get him to the Majors in the 1st place), I think a position switch, does not accomplish that.
He will be spending time learning a new position, instead of refining skills at 3rd.
His value as a hitter, is far less as a Corner OF, than it would be at 3rd.
The 2006 1st round pick Billy Rowell has had 922 Professional at-bats… If he were to have 250 at-bats at Frederick through June 2009, 200 at-bats at Bowie through August 2009, 150 at-bats in the Arizona Fall League, and another 250 at-bats at Bowie through June 2010 – he will have had basically doubled his current level of professional experience.
If he performs in those next 850 at-bats, he should realistically be a potential option at the big-league level in the second-half of 2010.
The thoughts should be, how can the team help Rowell improve his strike-zone recognition?
How can we improve his foot-work at 3rd?
He has shown his power in those existing 922 at-bats, with 89 extra-base hits, which equals 1 per 10.3 at-bats.
While depth is a good thing, if he progresses as a player that is an option by mid-2010, or the start of 2011… where is he going to play for Baltimore?
Not in right-field with Markakis – not in LF, with Pie, and Reimold as existing options that will have established theirselves by then.
His options to break in with the O’s are at 1st, and 3rd… and obviously greatly tied to Brandon Snyder.
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Chris Stoner founded Baltimore Sports and Life in 2009. He has appeared as a radio guest with 1090 WBAL, 105.7 The Fan, CBS 1300, Q1370, WOYK 1350, WKAV 1400, and WNST 1570. He has also been interviewed by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Business Journal, and PressBox (TV). As Owner, his responsibilities include serving as the Managing Editor, Publicist, & Sales Director.