Billy Rowell is stirring...

[thundercleetz]

Wasn't Rowell touted as being an above-average athlete when he was drafted? Why can't he seem to find a spot defensively?

[Owen21]

No way you move him unless he's tearing up the league and even then, you have to let him get a good year under his belt. He's basically right on track if he were moving up by normal standards so if he can just settle in and put up a good year, he'd be back on the prospect scene again. At the same time, that strikeout rate is a little worrisome abut the good news is he's hitting lefties for the first time.

Whatever Rowell did differently this year it certainly seems to be working but it might be wise to give him at least a half season of good production before getting too excited.

The early results are encouraging though.

When will Rowell be rule 5 eligible ? .... next year ?

[Gurgi]

When will Rowell be rule 5 eligible ? .... next year ?

Could you imagine Rowell on a big league team next year? Buwhoooooo haaaaa!

[Lucky Jim]

Team	League	AVG	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	TB	BB	SO	SB	CS	OBP	SLG	OPSFRE	CAR	.309	27	97	17	30	5	0	4	20	47	14	28	2	2	.417	.485	.902Minors	 	.309	27	97	17	30	5	0	4	20	47	14	28	2	2	.417	.485	.902

2-3 with an RBI and a BB tonight. At .309/.418/.487 now.

Some interesting splits:

He's only got a LD% of 13%, and his BABIP is .409. But man, when he hits the ball in the air no one catches it:

	        AB	 H	2B	3B	HR	W	IW	HP	K	SH	SF	GDP	   	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS	BABIP	   	GB%	LD%	FB%	IF/FGround Balls	36	9	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2		0.250	0.250	0.250	0.500	0.250		100%	0.0%	0.0%	undefFly Balls	19	12	5	0	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0		0.632	0.632	1.526	2.158	0.533		0.0%	0.0%	100%	5.3%Line Drives	8	7	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0		0.875	0.875	0.875	1.750	0.875		0.0%	100%	0.0%	0.0%

[RVAbird]

Team	League	AVG	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	TB	BB	SO	SB	CS	OBP	SLG	OPSFRE	CAR	.309	27	97	17	30	5	0	4	20	47	14	28	2	2	.417	.485	.902Minors	 	.309	27	97	17	30	5	0	4	20	47	14	28	2	2	.417	.485	.902

2-3 with an RBI and a BB tonight. At .309/.418/.487 now.

Some interesting splits:

He's only got a LD% of 13%, and his BABIP is .409. But man, when he hits the ball in the air no one catches it:

	        AB	 H	2B	3B	HR	W	IW	HP	K	SH	SF	GDP	   	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS	BABIP	   	GB%	LD%	FB%	IF/FGround Balls	36	9	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2		0.250	0.250	0.250	0.500	0.250		100%	0.0%	0.0%	undefFly Balls	19	12	5	0	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0		0.632	0.632	1.526	2.158	0.533		0.0%	0.0%	100%	5.3%Line Drives	8	7	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0		0.875	0.875	0.875	1.750	0.875		0.0%	100%	0.0%	0.0%

Oof...that ain't gonna last.

[Lucky Jim]

Oof...that ain't gonna last.

No. But I wouldn't worry about it too much, right now. He's learning to hit all over again.

There's going to be some inconsistency. I don't think the numbers hold up, of course. But I do think that the fact that he's hitting LDs and FBs with authority is a good thing.

Don't get me wrong - the GBs are an issue. The BABIP is not sustainable. But hitting the ball with authority is a huge deal. He's clearly doing it more than he has before.

For context, Hosmer is doing similar things: http://www.minorleaguesplits.com/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?pl=543333

[Crazysilver03]

When will Rowell be rule 5 eligible ? .... next year ?

Rowell will have 5 years from 2006, so he would be eligible after this season.

[tilgaham]

One thing to consider...Rowell has been on fire at home and absolutely putrid away.

Home Games .373 16 51 12 19 3 0 3 11 12 18 1 0 .508 .608 1.116

Away Games .214 14 56 7 12 2 0 1 10 3 15 1 2 .290 .304 .594

Stats from the Keys website

[QBsILLEST1]

One thing to consider...Rowell has been on fire at home and absolutely putrid away.

Home Games .373 16 51 12 19 3 0 3 11 12 18 1 0 .508 .608 1.116

Away Games .214 14 56 7 12 2 0 1 10 3 15 1 2 .290 .304 .594

Stats from the Keys website

Personally, from where Rowell was, these splits aren't even an issue to me. If he is hitting the ball with authority regardless where it is, I am happy. That means he still has it in him. Glad we didnt release him last season like many wanted to...

[ShaneDawg85]

If you'd have told me that more than half way through May we'd see a .399 OBP out of Rowell, I'd have spat a drink all over my computer. The power could use some improvement, but still, that OBP made me do a double take.

[Arthur_Bryant]

If you'd have told me that more than half way through May we'd see a .399 OBP out of Rowell, I'd have spat a drink all over my computer. The power could use some improvement, but still, that OBP made me do a double take.

Unfortunately, the BA part of that number (.289) is unsustainable with all the strikeouts. He had a .387 BABIP in April, and .455 so far in May. With a LD% of less than 15 p.c.

But he is showing more patience and a better eye.

[DrungoHazewood]

Unfortunately, the BA part of that number (.289) is unsustainable with all the strikeouts. He had a .387 BABIP in April, and .455 so far in May. With a LD% of less than 15 p.c.

But he is showing more patience and a better eye.

How do you know he's not choking up eight inches, using a hands-spread grip, and channeling Willie Keeler? Huh? He just might be hittin' 'em where they ain't on purpose.

[Frobby]

I also get these brief windows of optimism with Rowell. But really, he's not doing nearly enough for a guy repeating a league for the second time. He'd have to go insane in the second half to convince me that he's back on the radar.

[LookinUp]

I also get these brief windows of optimism with Rowell. But really, he's not doing nearly enough for a guy repeating a league for the second time. He'd have to go insane in the second half to convince me that he's back on the radar.

Third time, actually.

We should do everyone a favor and trade him.

[Frobby]

Third time, actually.

We should do everyone a favor and trade him.

He is repeating the league for the second time, meaning it's the third time he has played in the league.

2008 (age 19): .248/.315/.368, 7 HR 50 RBI (421 PA)

2009 (age 20): .225/.284/.336, 9 HR 39 RBI (458 PA)

2010 (age 21): .256/.356/.379, 5 HR 29 RBI (247 PA)

His numbers this year are marginally better, but nowhere near good enough. At 21 he's no longer one of the youngest players in this league. If he was any kind of real prospect he'd have an OPS well over .800 by now.