O's prospect Billy Rowell is leaving the hot corner
Billy Rowell, who has played third base only during his first three years in the Orioles' organization, is moving to the outfield this season.
Rowell, the club's first round pick (9th overall) in 2006, is likely to start this year as Frederick's right fielder.
"I couldn't talk about this until our players had reported to camp," O's Director of Player Development David Stockstill said. "But I talked to Billy about this several weeks ago and prepared him for it.
"This should take some pressure off him, he put some pressure on himself playing third. We think he'll be more comfortable in the outfield and he has an outstanding arm for right field. This doesn't mean he could not switch to another position down the road, but he's an outfielder now for us."
Late last summer, in a MASNsports.com interview, Frederick Keys manager Richie Hebner mentioned that Rowell might be better suited for the outfield.
Stockstill said the 20-year-old Rowell is fine with the decision and will continue to take some grounders at third "because 80 percent of outfielder errors come on groundballs."
Stockstill added that Rowell not only reported to O's minor league camp early but came to camp with a great attitude.
"Billy has come a long way. If you saw him yesterday or today, no one would ask any questions about his attitude. He has really grown up a lot and matured," Stockstill said.
Rowell, who last year hit .248-7-50 with Frederick, impressed the O's brass by reporting March 1st, several days ahead of time. He seemed to make solid strides in the second-half last year, working with Frederick manager Richie Hebner; and the pair will be reunited again at the beginning of this season.
"He has had some humbling experiences," Stockstill said. "It's made him dig deep and has brought out his character. He learned something last year playing with guys like Matt Wieters and Jake Arrieta."
In other minor league notes, RHP Luis Noel has yet to report to minor league camp in Sarasota due to visa issues in the Dominican. Paul Chmiel, first baseman at Aberdeen last year, is ill and has not worked out yet. Matt Tucker, who hit .286 in 77 games at Delmarva in 2008, is suffering from flu-like symptoms and is also being held out of workouts.
LHP Tony Butler, acquired from Seattle in the Erik Bedard trade, is undergoing further evaluation on his shoulder. There are some weaknesses there, but the O's feel there's no injury. He could be throwing bullpen sessions in two weeks.
And, some good news on the injury front. Paco Figueroa, who was limited to 32 games last year by shoulder injuries, reported to camp with his shoulder completely healthy. Figueroa, who hit .280 in 2007 at Bowie, was the O's ninth-round pick in 2005.
Click here to read an article on Billy Rowell from late last summer.
 |
Categories (click for archive)Steve Melewski |
If that's where he's better suited, then...
At least they have the foresight to move him to a position where he can have more success, rather than leaving him at 3B just because we have an organizational hole there. Also, it paves the way for Snyder to be the fulltime 3B while still keeping Rowell at the level he needs to be. I like hearing that he's come to camp with a better attitude. Maybe watching people pass him by got his attention.
could slick fielding scott moore be the orioles future 3rd baseman
This article has a positive spin to it, but let's think about the long range prospects of Rowell getting to the majors. Let's take a look at RF for the Orioles. Oops, there's a fella named Markakis out there who is pretty young and just signed a HUGE deal!!! How 'bout CF!!! Oops, anybody heard of Adam Jones? LF? Pie, Montanez, Scott......if I were Billy Rowell, I would not be one BIT happy about this move. It's curious, to me, why the Orioles would do this.
_____________________________________________________________
Remember, he could always switch to another position later. A lot can happen between now and the time Rowell is major-league ready. This is probably mostly about getting him comfortable on defense so he starts hitting on offense. Brandon Snyder's bat took off when he was able to ditch that catching gear. - Steve
Why not put him at short? Didn't he play short in high school ?
___________________________________________
Darrin, if he is struggling at third he certainly cannont play SS. - Steve
I have a really bad feeling about Rowell. I think he's going to be a bust. Like Billy Bean said "never draft a high school kid".
___________________________________________________
Billy doesn't know everything. Stats show as many first round high schoolers make it to the bigs as college guys, maybe more. Calling Rowell a bust at 20 years old is premature. He was the youngest player in the Carolina League last year and hit well late in the year. The fans surely have more patience than this with a youngster. Snyder was being called a bust, too. Relax and let the kid play some more games. - Steve
Steve,
This is a good move by the O's, but if Pie or Reimold works out as a starting LF and Rowell starts to hit the way everyone expected him to, then maybe he should be moved to first base. He won't get moved to short because short is harder than third and he doesn't have the range to play there. So, his options seem to be second base, first, or the outfield. Looking at those three I would say that his best option looks like first base.
Also, the link you provided doesn't work. Could you possibly fix that? Thanks.
____________________________________________________________
We should get all worked up over his position right now. It's a matter of him hitting and if he does that, they'll find a spot for him when the time comes. - Steve
PS - The link now works. Thanks for pointing that out.
If you're looking down the road... this could actually be a solid option for Rowell. He's probably a minimum of 3 years removed from the majors. A lot can change in 3 years, and perhaps there could be an option for a left fielder (if Pie doesn't pan out) or simply as a back up outfielder (if we don't have one at that time). The kid's only 20. There's a lot of time there to experiment.
Last July 4th, Billy was taunted by a hostile fan when The Keys played at Winston-Salem. Billy responded by hitting tow doubles and a home run. HA HA HA! Keep the "Billy taunts" coming. We're loving it.
Sincerely,
The Billy Rowell Fan Club
Great blog, Steve. I agree with many that Billy's Orioles future involves him moving to 1st base, but a lot can change with time. In the meantime, let's hope he hits and that his improved attitude is here to stay.
________________________________________________________
Thanks, Dylan. I expect him to hit this year in the Carolina Lg after he finished off so well last year there. He hit .297 last August with the Keys. - Steve
steve just wondering if there is any rumor on the o's trading or signing a starting pitcher?they need to do something and fast .to many injuries.read were the scouts are at all the games looking at pitchers .
_______________________________________________
It's been pretty amazing Bill about the rotation injuries, then tonight Guthrie gets hit hard in the WBC. They may have to rethink this Pedro situation, up to now showing no interest. It's all helping Bergesen make the big jump but I think they don't want to rush any othe pitchers. - Steve