Should John Bowker play 1B?

by jordanovich on Feb 14, 2008 11:29 AM PST

Hey, long time/first here. So like the title says, does anyone who has seen Bowker play think he can handle 1B? Or that he should even try 1B? He throws left-handed and appears offensively to be a better than Ortmeier. Would it be smart for the Giants to have him work w/ JT and try to start at 1B this yeah in Fresno?

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Re: Should John Bowker play 1B?

The only argument I can see against it is if the Giants want him to focus more on hitting at the AAA level first. Changing positions and jumping levels could be putting a lot on his plate. But I'll readily defer to the farm hand experts here on that opinion.

by daveinexile on Feb 14, 2008 11:35 AM PST reply actions

Re: Should John Bowker play 1B?

If he has the footwork and good hands, I'd say it's worth a shot.

Brian Anderson: I can has spot in Fresno 'pen?

by JT Jordan on Feb 14, 2008 11:39 AM PST reply actions

Why I'm not that excited yet about John Bowker

Compare Bowker's 2007 with Ortmeier's 2005, same league, same park, same age.

ab: 522 vs 503
ba: .307 vs .274
obp: .363 vs .360
hr: 22 vs 20
sb/cs: 3/7 vs 35/12
bb/k: 41/103 vs 48/115

Bowker hit more singles and doubles. Ortmeier drew a few more walks, got hit by a few more pitches, and was a much better baserunner (and fielder). But that's basically the same season.

But yeah, he should be working out at first.

by Evan on Feb 14, 2008 12:05 PM PST reply actions

Well, thouse extra singles and doubles

resulted in a SLG that was 60 points higher for Bowker.

Ortmeier's wasn't good enough to make up for that.

by rfloh on Feb 14, 2008 12:18 PM PST up reply actions

Ortmeier's baserunning. UGH.

by rfloh on Feb 14, 2008 12:29 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Ortmeier's baserunning. UGH.

I think it might, actually. Plug in run values for their stat lines, including the caught stealings and HBPs, and I'm not sure who would come out ahead. And now that I look at it, Bowker hit into 15 more double plays, which would tip the balance decisively.

Anyway, the point is, we have an unfortunately recent precedent for a once-disappointing prospect suddenly emerging with a great year at AA -- and then slinking right back into mediocrity the next year.

by Evan on Feb 14, 2008 12:47 PM PST up reply actions

Ahh, I forgot the DPs

Ortmeier's SBs and Cs, come out to a net of around plus 3 runs roughly speaking.

Bowker's SBs and CS, come out to a net of around minus 2-3 runs.

60 points of SLG is roughly speaking probably around 10 runs over a full season.

Bowker had 15 more DPs than Ortmeier though, as you point out.

by rfloh on Feb 14, 2008 2:12 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Ahh, I forgot the DPs

Bowker's stats were compiled in a poor hitter's park as well. Let's see how he does at Fresno. Why would they consider skipping Fresno and sending him straight to the majors?? They're better off giving Nate a first baseman's mitt. I'm actually surprised that none of the young outfielders have asked to try first base. It's alot easier route to making the team.

2008 Rolaids Relief winner: Randy Messenger

by rxmeister on Feb 14, 2008 3:52 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Ahh, I forgot the DPs

"I'm actually surprised that none of the young outfielders have asked to try first base. It's alot easier route to making the team."

In one sentence, you've summed up how incompetent Brian Sabean is.

He's so incapable of finding hitting talent that light-hitting outfielders have an EASIER time making it at FIRST BASE than in the outfield.

It's unbelievably easy to find league-average hitters at first base. There are usually 4 or 5 of them floating around as minor league free agents or on the waiver wire. It simply defies logic that anyone could think Dan Ortmeier at first base was a good idea when there are like 10 freely available players who are virtually guaranteed to hit better than him.

by PaulThomas @ McCovey Chronicles on Feb 15, 2008 9:58 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Should John Bowker play 1B?

I like this idea, actually. Maybe they could work him out at 1st for a while through ST and give him 1B at AAA, and then if it works out well enough he could come up and try to take it from Ort when he turns out to suck.

by boonitez on Feb 14, 2008 12:20 PM PST reply actions

Re: Should John Bowker play 1B?

I could care less how much he golfs.

Your 2007 San Francisco Giants: When Keepin' It Real Goes Wrong

by the degenerate on Feb 14, 2008 8:13 PM PST reply actions

Re: Should John Bowker play 1B?

Does Bowker have enough swagger to handle first base?

by xanthan on Feb 14, 2008 9:11 PM PST reply actions

Re: Should John Bowker play 1B?

not enough swagger, but as i understand his warrior spirit will do just fine

by Yoostey on Feb 14, 2008 11:36 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Should John Bowker play 1B?

I don't see why players aren't taught to play as many positions as is feasible. If I were a player I would WANT to play as many positions as possible. Why not make yourself as valuable as you can, particularly with only about 13 position players on today's rosters, compared to about 15 in the past?

Maybe someone such as Brute can tell me why the Giants didn't try Nate Schierholtz behind the plate. I have heard he might not have the head for the position, but he did indeed play there through Little League.

When you've got a big lefthanded hitter with a strong arm and decent athleticism, wouldn't the fastest route to the big leagues be as a catcher?

by sharksrog on Feb 17, 2008 1:27 PM PST reply actions

Re: Should John Bowker play 1B?

OH MY GOD

Nate Schierholtz cannot play third base. Nate Schierholtz cannot play third base. Steve Kline is pretty okay. Nate Schierholtz cannot play third base.

by groug on Feb 17, 2008 1:43 PM PST up reply actions