If John Bowker could master 1b and ML pitching he could alter the plans for the entire organization. GM Brian Sabean would no longer be looking to deal for the slugging LHH he is craving. Sabean would then be able to keep the resources he may have traded for a 1b to enhance the Giants or deal them in a separate trade to shore up other positions – most notably 3b and SS.

If John Bowker could master 1b another OF prospect (Lewis, Schierholtz, Ortmeier or EME) could get valuable ML experience for seasons to come. It cound affect the upcoming #5 draft selection.

Do I remember reading that Ortmeier had never played 1B anywhere? I still can’t believe they just threw a glove at him last year and sent him out. I also hope that this means they’re not just giving up on Ort entirely, yet. And we’ll see about Bowker after half a season or so. That’s how long Winn looked like Jesus and how long Niekro batted well.

I love Omar, but if he can’t field (and his range had already of course become limited) what business does he have playing SS? If he can’t fill in at 2B or 3B then he’s just another waste of a roster spot, especially if his knee keeps him from hitting better than he did last season. Maybe this article is really saying that instead of trading for a washed-up LH 1B the deal will be for a washed-up SS.

Can Bochy and Sabean handle having a young player face righty and lefty pitching? It seems to me, that taking the bat out of a players hands for a season or two in their twenties, might hamper their development against a handiness of pitcher. Not seeing any left handed pitchers for a year and half, might make it that much harder to actually see the ball, when the player finally faces a left handed pitcher, especially with the deceptive motion that most major leaguers pitchers strive for.

Even Jay Canizaro hasn’t thought about Jay Canizaro in 10 years.

Here is rotoworld’s fantasy take on Bowker. It’s a little long, but an interesting read. Check out his numbers on the road last year…

John Bowker – OF/1B Giants – No big names were called up in the NL this week, but Bowker is one player I’ve been intrigued with for awhile and I think is well worth watching. A third-rounder out of Long Beach State University in 2004, Bowker was considered to have a good but inconsistent swing that lead to very mediocre results in college. He went on to have a nice debut in the low minors after signing, but two seasons at High-A San Jose in 2005 and 2006 were big disappointments with little improvement.

The Giants moved Bowker up to Double-A in 2007 anyway, and the 6’2” left-hander responded with an incredible .307/.363/.523 line that included 35 doubles, six triples, and 22 homers. Perhaps that line doesn’t look “incredible”, but once you adjust for the fact that he was playing at one of the worst parks for power hitters in the minors (Dodd Stadium) it does look quite nice. His line away from Dodd Stadium was .345/.397/.629, further cementing his season as an outstanding one.

I wrote about Bowker after attending last year’s Eastern League All-Star Game, highlighting how the now 24 year-old had a quick swing that generated plenty of power. That power has been evident so far with the Giants, as Bowker has smacked a homer in each of his first two games. Since Bowker also has solid plate discipline and is adept at handling left-handed pitchers, he could prove to be a real sleeper for those in NL-only leagues. That the Giants are again working him out at first base after doing so this spring is encouraging, as first is a big position of need for the Giants both now and in the future (until Angel Villalona is ready). If Bowker can keep hitting, and I like his chances, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him claim the first base job and perform admirably while doing so. A .270-15-60 season with 450+ at-bats isn’t out of the question.

Recommendation: Go the extra dollar for him in NL-only one-year and keeper leagues; only those in very deep mixed leagues should monitor.

wow, just looked at minor league splits dotcom
Bowker had was HIGHER against lefites in average OBP and BABIP Just not the Slugging. K rate worse too, but not horrible

AVG  OBP   SLG   OPS    BABIP 
against lefties, 139 AB       331   390    460   .850    427 
against righties, 379 AB    301   355    554    909    323

Try that again
2007, AA, Bowker

AB    AVG   OBP    SLG   OPS    BABIP 
vs. LH 139    331   .390       .460    .850      .427
vs. RH 379 .  301   .355       .554    .909      .323

vs. LH 139 331 .390 .460 .850 .427