There's talk about trading a top pitcher for a power hitter and/or signing a free agent who can provide a needed bat. The chances of finding somebody who
can provide the needed power at ATT Park is a bit dubious. Let's apply a bit of Billy Beane logic and take another look at John Bowker.
Looking back to 2007 (at Connecticut - AA) and 2008 (at Giants and Connecticut), one of Bowker's problems was that his strike zone was lacking. At Connecticut (in 2007), he hit .307 with an on-base average of .363 and 22 home runs. He also walked only 41 times and struck out 103 times. In 2008, Bowker spent most of the year with the Giants. With the
Giants, he hit .255 with an on base average of .300, 19 walks and 74 strikeouts. His record at Connecticut (93 at bats) was not noteworthy.
In 2009, Bowker spent most of the year at Fresno (AAA). He suddenly seemed to find the strike zone and ended up with 74 walks and 64 strikeouts over 366 at bats. He led the Pacific Coast league in hitting at .342 and his on base average was an eye-catching .451. And he had 21 home runs at Fresno. At year-end, he was called up to the Giants and didn't distinguish himself batting sporadically with only 39 at-bats.
I know that it's easy to say that hitting in the minors doesn't necessarily mean success in the majors. However, the PCL is the highest level minor league - and it's a safe assumption that some PCL players will be successful in the majors. Why not Bowker - after all, in 2009 he was the best hitter in the PCL. I realize he's an average fielder (at best), but why not give John Bowker a chance to really prove himself now that he has seemingly found the strike zone--and the Giants badly need some power hitting. The moderate salary that he would require looks so much more attractive than paying some free agent (think Rowand) millions for very average production. Further, amongst all the Giants outfielders, there isn't one who has shown much power - and their on-base averages are atrocious. That's one of the reasons that the Giants offense was so abominable. Give Bowker a real chance.
Looking back to 2007 (at Connecticut - AA) and 2008 (at Giants and Connecticut), one of Bowker's problems was that his strike zone was lacking. At Connecticut (in 2007), he hit .307 with an on-base average of .363 and 22 home runs. He also walked only 41 times and struck out 103 times. In 2008, Bowker spent most of the year with the Giants. With the
Giants, he hit .255 with an on base average of .300, 19 walks and 74 strikeouts. His record at Connecticut (93 at bats) was not noteworthy.
In 2009, Bowker spent most of the year at Fresno (AAA). He suddenly seemed to find the strike zone and ended up with 74 walks and 64 strikeouts over 366 at bats. He led the Pacific Coast league in hitting at .342 and his on base average was an eye-catching .451. And he had 21 home runs at Fresno. At year-end, he was called up to the Giants and didn't distinguish himself batting sporadically with only 39 at-bats.
I know that it's easy to say that hitting in the minors doesn't necessarily mean success in the majors. However, the PCL is the highest level minor league - and it's a safe assumption that some PCL players will be successful in the majors. Why not Bowker - after all, in 2009 he was the best hitter in the PCL. I realize he's an average fielder (at best), but why not give John Bowker a chance to really prove himself now that he has seemingly found the strike zone--and the Giants badly need some power hitting. The moderate salary that he would require looks so much more attractive than paying some free agent (think Rowand) millions for very average production. Further, amongst all the Giants outfielders, there isn't one who has shown much power - and their on-base averages are atrocious. That's one of the reasons that the Giants offense was so abominable. Give Bowker a real chance.
