John Bowker, Possible sleeper??? Options

[DaddyMang]

Started yesterday for the first time in the majors. Had a hit and a hr. He also just blasted a 2 run hr just a few minutes ago in his 2nd game. That's 6 rbi's in 2 games so far. Thoughts?

[Nuschler]

The Giants 10th best prospect according to Rotoworld:
10. John Bowker - OF - DOB: 07/08/83 - ETA: Aug. 2008
.307/.363/.523, 22 HR, 90 RBI, 103/41 K/BB, 3 SB in 522 AB (AA Connecticut)

"Bowker didn't look like much of a prospect in his first 2 ½ pro seasons, but the 2004 third-round pick nearly doubled his career homer total last year in a tough environment for hitters at Connecticut. His bat looks legitimate enough now, though he still has trouble with left-handers. Unfortunately, he doesn't help himself with his glove, and being a Giants prospect, he doesn't walk very often. The Giants, though, need someone with his muscle in their lineup. Ideally, they'd move both Randy Winn and Dave Roberts to make room for Schierholtz and Bowker later this year. If they keep two of the veterans, Bowker will probably be the odd man out." - Pouliot


Unfortunately I don't much about him, but I will say it isn't easy at all for lefties to poke the ball over that wall in AT&T park. He's done it twice in 2 games, he's on the radar.

[Oscar]

His power is legit...22HR in the Eastern League last year is pretty impressive. That was a heavy pitcher dominated league. Apparently he added muscle and started standing closer to the plate last year and something clicked for him. One thing is for sure, on that team he'll play if he keeps hitting. NL-Only guy. Ankiel with a little less power and better plate discpline.

[The Czar]

I said this in the Cain thread yesterday, and maybe Mr. Bowker needs his own thread if he keeps this up.

I didn't know anything about him prior, but I was listening to KNBR (Giants radio) and the scouting director compared Bowker to a player with the skill set of a JD Drew, but that he was still very raw. I love his swing so far. Short and compact. He hit .307 last year in AA with 22 HR.

He is only playing with Rowand out, but the Giants are sending a lot of young kids out there right now and whoever performs should stick. They really need to deal Winn if they can and let Fred Lewis, Bowker, and Raj Davis get some time if they are committing to this youth movement thing. Aurilia, Durham, etc. should not be stealing AB's from Velez, Ortmeier, etc. at this point. Winn is still a major leaguer, but Aurilia and Durham are poor bench players at best now.

Looks like Bowker may have triggered an offensive explosion for the Giants.

I posted this in the another thread. The guy on the radio was also quick to say that he was not saying that he would be JD Drew, but that he had a similar skill set.

P.S.- I see all you SSD guys lurking. Damn you. I am not going to use a #2 on this guy, but I was thinking about a flyer.

[The Czar]

Also, keep in mind that he is only playing with Rowand out. He needs to play, but I doubt they sit Winn for him.

Giants front office just has no clue right now.

[The Czar]

He is up right now if anyone gets the game. You can go see his AB.

[Vriez]

Tried to pull the outside pitch and grounded into a double play. Not too impressive.

I need to see highlights of his 2 jacks.

[The Czar]

Rolled it over for the DP.

I can definately see the likeness to Ankiel's swing Oscar. Good eye on that one.

[Da-Bears]

Im reading up on him now since i have Alou and Gwynn Jr on the dl..Looks interesting who knows but it is the Giants anyone can play on that team..Look at Bocock lol

[DaddyMang]

Im reading up on him now since i have Alou and Gwynn Jr on the dl..Looks interesting who knows but it is the Giants anyone can play on that team..Look at Bocock lol

7 RBI's in 2 days. Pretty good start.

[Roid Rage]

God forbid Yahoo! should have him on their FA list.

[mrkrab]

I just got this bowker guy in a deep 20 team league. Does anyone have anymore info about this kid?

[mjohnatgt]

I PICKED HIM UP IN ALL OF MY LEAGUES AND DROPPED BELTRAN SINCE BOWKER ON PACE FOR 155 HR AND BELTRAN HAD ZEROOOOOO. NOW BELTRAN HITS HR AND BOWKER NO HR?????

PS: hope you guys needed a laugh this morning. ;-)

[midlip]

yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeah, hilarious

[mjohnatgt]

I just got this bowker guy in a deep 20 team league. Does anyone have anymore info about this kid?

If it's a keeper league, that's probably worthwhile. I expect him to be a starting OF or 1B for the Giants next season, and he's got power. I got him for $1 in my deep NL-only draft this year for that reason and am already going to get some stats for him. He's got a bunch of options left, so don't be surprised if he goes to the minors some this season when the vets get back off the DL.

[sfdevil]

another bomb today for bowker (1-5, 2ks tho)... he sure loves to hit em off the cards

[The Czar]

I guess that stadium that he played in is really a fly ball grave yard. The 22 he hit there last year was a new record for a player there according to the radio. That is insane. The guy on the radio thought that 22 in Conn. would compare to about 35 in Fresno, but Fresno is a notorious hot yard. So I guess the power is legit.

He will get some AB's at first going forward. On his two K's today, he was exposed on pitches up and in on the hands. If it is a hole, he will need to adjust quick. The next week will be telling as I bet teams will bust him there constantly.

[gohabsgo]

not a sleeper anymore...

too bad the giants will trade him for a washed up piece of crap to "improve" their team

Reason for edit: language

[Go Broncos!]

They should try him at 1st, call up Schierholtz to play RF, and bench Winn and Aurilia.

This post has been edited by Go Broncos!: Apr 20 2008, 10:40 PM

[Go Broncos!]

Here's a little more about him.

Nate Stephens / Rotoworld:

John Bowker – OF/1B Giants – No big names were called up in the NL this week, but Bowker is one player I've been intrigued with for awhile and I think is well worth watching. A third-rounder out of Long Beach State University in 2004, Bowker was considered to have a good but inconsistent swing that lead to very mediocre results in college. He went on to have a nice debut in the low minors after signing, but two seasons at High-A San Jose in 2005 and 2006 were big disappointments with little improvement.

The Giants moved Bowker up to Double-A in 2007 anyway, and the 6'2" left-hander responded with an incredible .307/.363/.523 line that included 35 doubles, six triples, and 22 homers. Perhaps that line doesn't look "incredible", but once you adjust for the fact that he was playing at one of the worst parks for power hitters in the minors (Dodd Stadium) it does look quite nice. His line away from Dodd Stadium was .345/.397/.629, further cementing his season as an outstanding one.

I wrote about Bowker after attending last year's Eastern League All-Star Game, highlighting how the now 24 year-old had a quick swing that generated plenty of power. That power has been evident so far with the Giants, as Bowker has smacked a homer in each of his first two games. Since Bowker also has solid plate discipline and is adept at handling left-handed pitchers, he could prove to be a real sleeper for those in NL-only leagues. That the Giants are again working him out at first base after doing so this spring is encouraging, as first is a big position of need for the Giants both now and in the future (until Angel Villalona is ready). If Bowker can keep hitting, and I like his chances, it wouldn't be surprising to see him claim the first base job and perform admirably while doing so. A .270-15-60 season with 450+ at-bats isn't out of the question.

This post has been edited by Go Broncos!: Apr 20 2008, 10:42 PM