Thoughts on Billy Rowell

by doug frobel on Apr 11, 2007 12:06 PM EDT

I realize we had input on Rowell's future when we did the group top 100. I haven't heard word on where Baltimore will be starting Rowell in 2007, and since I haven't seen statistics on him yet, I wasn't sure if he is in Extended Spring Training or if he's injured.

I picked Rowell as a potential "Jim Thome-type" bat for a Strat-O-Matic team I have. What are your thoughts on his development? The O's were aggressive with Markakis... can they push Reimold aggressively also? I'm aware he'll need to move across the diamond defensively, but I'm not sure what the ceiling is for his bat at the ML level.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Tweet Comment 2 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Well......

The reason he has not played is because he's currently healing an injury (I've heard both Oblique and Rib Cage but I'm not sure about either) so that's why his name has not been around, I'm sure we'll see him by May

by sagecoll on Apr 11, 2007 12:35 PM EDT reply actions

Response

Rowell was a little banged up in spring training and should report to Low A before too long.

As for whether or not he can be put on a fast track . . .too early to say. He's such a big guy that swing mechanics and plate approach might be issues, and he does come from the Northeast so he hasn't faced a huge amount of top competition as an amateur. Plus, as you mentioned, he may face a move to a corner OF slot or 1B.

Personal guess is that the O's take it slow with him and allow him to grow into his body and power. Obviously this could change based on just how much he hits. I don't see him moving as fast as Markakis, who has showed a tremendous ability to make adjustments. Rowell could have the same ability, but it's not something that I'd want to take for granted.

Ceiling in a perfect world is probably something not too far from Jim Thome, but a lot of things would have to go very, very right for Rowell.

by mrkupe on Apr 11, 2007 12:46 PM EDT reply actions