When the Giants Come to Town, It's Bye-Bye Baby

07.09.2009
Where Will Bowker Play?

Hank Schulman got a tip last night that John Bowker could be called up today. Ryan Sadowski would head back to Fresno until after the All-Star break because the Giants don't need a fifth starter until July 21.

If it's true, where will Bowker play? Remember, he's naturally an outfielder. His stint at first base in the majors last year was an experiment, and it didn't work so well. But he's played 13 games there this year, so it's possible the Giants could start him over Ishikawa. It's also possible the Giants will want to give Rowand and Winn each a day off in this final four-game series before the break, so Bowker can get starts in the outfield. 

Whatever the case, unless there's an injury or trade, Bowker will have seven, maybe eight games to do damage. It's likely more a quick audition for 2010 to see if he's closed up the holes in his swing that major-league pitchers easily exploited last year. Or an audition for the second half, but as currently constituted the roster doesn't have room for him. This call-up also could serve as a showcase for other teams to see if his performance this year at AAA is legitimate.

Play along with the scouts. Here's what to look for: 1) Is he staying back on breaking balls and change-ups? Bowker has a short, compact, powerful swing that lets him get to inside fastballs (unlike Ishikawa), but last year he wasn't able to adjust to the junk. 2) If he's in the outfield, does he take good routes to the ball? Bowker's not the fastest dude, but he'll be able to play a decent OF (most likely left field at Mays Field) if he gets good jumps and reads. 3) Is he overwhelmed against lefties? He only had 35 appearances in the majors last year against lefties, with five singles and one walk. In the minors, when he's hit well overall (this year in Fresno, 2007 in Connecticut), he's also done relatively well against lefties. (Check out all his minor league numbers and splits here.) Seeing how the Giants are in win-now mode, don't expect him to get much parlay-voo with lefties this time up, but it's certainly a question that will linger as the Giants -- or other teams -- evaluate his potential as a major leaguer.
 


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7 Comments

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Zo | July 9, 2009 12:20 PM | Reply

The Chron this morning reported that Rowand ran into a fence again and his shoulder "feels dead." Could be a good excuse to get some starts for Bowker.

DProfessor | July 9, 2009 1:09 PM | Reply

Here's the thing: No matter if we make the play-off, this is still a rebuilding year. Now is the time to take an extended look at these boys. If they don't work out, then it's time to trade or acquire a FA.

However, Bochy WILL NOT sit Winn in favor of a rook.

(1)This is illogical since Winn will be a FA come the Fall.

(2) To get draft compensation, Winn must be offered abritration. If he accepts, per the rules he'll be making close to his current salary, which makes him GROSSLY OVERPAID for a .270 hitting corner OF with no HR power. Ergo, no arbitration.

(3) He's 35 and not on steroids, so we'd have to move on to younger OF anyway.

But those arguments are logical, so they won't fly with our San Francisco Giants.

Boof | July 9, 2009 2:46 PM | Reply

I continue to ask the same question: Why is Aurilia still occupying a roster spot?????

anthillunda2nd | July 9, 2009 3:05 PM | Reply

Love how all the reports say Bowker at 1st didn't go too well....ummmm I remember noting in my brain how impressed I was that this outfielder was locking up 1st base well. Even with "hole in swing" he still hit 10 jacks at The Belle. That's impact without a trade, the farm is the future. Having Ishi and him trade-off everyday would be cool with me.

ELM replied to comment from anthillunda2nd | July 9, 2009 3:32 PM | Reply

I'm not sure what you mean by "locking up 1st base well." Most of the 10 HRs came before pitchers figured him out. By the end he was seriously flailing.

And for what it's worth, Fangraphs' UZR gives him a negative rating for his work at first base last year. By the same measure (UZR) Ishikawa is far and away the best defensive 1B in the majors (though he doesn't quite have the innings to qualify).

Pato | July 9, 2009 3:26 PM | Reply

It would be nice if Bowker either did well and took over a starting job or if he did well enough to package him in a trade but either way, I don't see anyone giving up much for any of the position players on the giants. We now have a surplus of OF but none of them have any trade value and the ones that I would like to see stick around and develop are all left handed bats which makes it tough to platoon them. Winn for prospects would be a smart move at this point because we could get a look at both Schierholtz and Bowker in the OF on a regular basis and it would guarentee that management doesn't do something stupid like give Winn an extension or offer arbitration at the end of the year.

obsessivegiantscompulsive | July 9, 2009 7:35 PM | Reply

Bowker hit .141/.212/.192/.404, 0 HR in 78 AB, from July 11-August 12, when the Giants mercifully demoted him to AAA and brought up Ishikawa. So clearly, the league had caught up with him and he wasn't adjusting.

Also, Schierholtz has hit .192/.241/.231/.472, 0 HR in 26 AB since June 30. So now Bowker will come up and see if he can hold LF, unlike Lewis or Schierholtz.

Competition is good.

I think Bowker will mostly play LF, but also steal starts at 1B from Ishikawa, perhaps against LHP.

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