Comcast Sportsnet had a good interview last-night with the O’s 2006 1st round pick Billy Rowell.
You can find the video in the Orioles Section of the link-below.
http://comcastsportsnet.tv/pages/videopagemain
The interview provided an interesting glimpse into Rowell’s personality. I liked a lot of what I heard. I understand he has struggled, even repeating this year at Frederick. I do think it is worth remembering he is still just 20, the equivalent of a Jr in College. Thought it was interesting that he talked about how he wants/expects to go back to 3rd-base.
I see a lot of people have completely written him off at this point.
I think it is fair to not count on receiving anything out of him, but I do not see how you can write him off.
I’m high on Grant Green who was selected in the 1st round by Oakland this year. Green turns 22 in September.
If Oakland signs Green, he would likely go to the Arizona Fall League this fall, and have a chance to start at AA next year, with A ball the most likely destination.
Rowell turns 21 in September. Which means, in September, Rowell will be a full-year younger than Green, and have already had nearly 1,400 professional at-bats.
Brandon Snyder turns 23 in November. At age 20, he spent the full-season in Delmarva. He got back on the prospect radar that fall, by going to the Hawaiian Winter League and producing. He then followed that up by going to Frederick, the AFL, Bowie, and now Norfolk.
The key part of that sentence is that Snyder was at Frederick in 2008 at age 21. Even if Rowell has to go back to Frederick for the 3rd time in 2010, he can still emerge.
It is one-thing to not count on him, it is another to write him off.
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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.