Loewen's pitching career over, will attempt comeback as position player
Can Adam Loewen become the next Rick Ankiel?
That's the question on the minds of Orioles President of Baseball Operations Andy MacPhail and Loewen himself, as they announced today that the 24-year-old left-hander will end his career as a pitcher, due to a re-fractured left elbow and will try to make a return as a position player.
After some initial rest and rehab, the plan is for Loewen to first appear in the fall instructional league. From there, MacPhail said future decisions "will become self-evident."
Ankiel, a starting pitcher turned outfielder for the St. Louis Cardinals, had reconstructive surgery on his pitching elbow and has made a remarkable comeback since he made the transition in early 2005. He currently sits near the top of the National League in home runs.
Loewen initially suffered a fracture in his throwing elbow in May 2007, and had to sit out the rest of that season after having a 4-inch titanium screw inserted to hold the bone in place. He returned at the beginning of this season, but felt pain in the elbow and spent over two months rehabbing down in the Minors.
He returned to the Majors on July 1, but less than a week later, felt pain yet again after throwing a pitch. The bones around the screw had cracked again, and Loewen was shut down.
Had Loewen chosen to have another surgery on his elbow, he would likely be sidelined for around a year and a half--something that he would like to avoid. "I'm sick of being a Band-Aid," he said.
Moving to the outfield or first base would not only allow Loewen to get back in the batter's box, where he excelled before the Orioles drafted him in 2002, but he also believes that once he can get some rest, he will be able to make most throws without any ill-effects.
"They believe the only reason my arm feels the way it does is from throwing off the mound [with] high intensity," Loewen said.
Loewen currently has a Major League contract, which prohibits him from going to the Minors without first passing through waivers. MacPhail said the club plans to sever that deal.
Loewen seemed upbeat throughout the press conference, but understands he will have his work cut out for him if he wants to make it back to the big leagues.
"This not a simple decision, but it's right there in front of me," he said. "This is going to be a long and tough road."
Sara,
You're right -- before the Orioles drafted Loewen, he pitched and played first base at Chipola Junior College in Florida, where he hit .353 with a homer and 38 RBIs in 45 games. Some teams apparently liked him so much as a hitter, they were considering drafting him as a position player.
With that being said, Loewen has not hit competitively in six years. A lot of very talented hitters (guys who have been getting consistent at-bats) get stuck in the minor leagues and never get a chance in the show. It will take time for Loewen to get his swing back and start feeling comfortable in the batter's box again.
Loewen seems to be a very determined guy, and this is the game that he loves and he isn't ready to stop playing. Does he have a chance to make it back to the big leagues as a hitter? I'm sure not going to bet against him.
Hi! I'm a big Orioles fan and I've heard that Loewen only played one season as a position player in junior college. Do you think he has a chance to make it to the big leagues as a hitter?