SF Giants Rumors – Is Bowker Here To Stay?
Posted on February 24th, 2010 by admin in SF Giants Rumors
Chris Haft of MLB.com chimes in on John Bowker. Bowker possesses more power than any other Giants with the possible exception of first baseman Aubrey Huff. Bowker has recorded his best numbers in the high Minor Leagues, since he has tended to swing over-anxiously during his stints in San Francisco in the previous two seasons.Bruce Bochy said “Johnny has the power to this the ball out of any ballpark anywhere, [even] right-center in our ballpark.”
Bowker thrived last year at Triple-A Fresno, where he led the Pacific Coast League in batting average (.342), on-base percentage (.451) and slugging percentage (.596) while amassing 21 homers and 83 RBI’s in just 366 at-bats.
King of Cali thoughts: Bowker doesn’t seem like the same player in San Francisco than he does in Fresno. He starts to press and looks over-matched. He’s only going to get more comfortable in San Francisco with more at-bats. The power is there. It’s just getting him to his comfort zone at the plate. I really do see him turning into a major league player in the near future. He’s only got one option left, so he may not make the opening day roster.
One good thing is he does have the same hitting coach as he did in Fresno. He might be able to keep Bowker’s head in the game at the plate. If he can get hot at the plate and show some power. You better believe Bochy will find ways to get his power bat into the lineup. He can play left, right and first base.
~King of Cali
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It seems to me, after a break out year in 08, MLB pitchers figured Bowker out. He was horrendous last season in the bigs. I think he may have a serious hole that pitchers no of, and he needs to fix that in order to succeed; and believe me, I’d like to see that. I was there at his very first at bat when he hit one over the right field wall. It was a great moment, and we need more of those in SF!
Matty,
Bowker is one of those players that I think just needs to get some AB’s. He needs to feel like he should be here. It seems like he has doubt at the big league level. He’s proven that he can dominate in Triple-A. It does seem like pitchers have found his hole in his swing. Now if he wants to stay up here. He just needs to close that hole up. Even if it’s taking a little off his swing to make solid contact. I’m sure he learned in little league to go with a two strike swing. =)
~King of Cali
I think now with Hensley Muelens as the hitting coach, Bowker could have a breakout year in the bigs
in AAA Muelens was his hitting coach and he taught Bowker to have more discipline at the plate and it showed
in an article on sfgiants.com it says Bowker has the most power of any Giants left handed hitter on the team
as King of Cali already mentioned about the power =)
This guy has the power and the potential that we need coming up from the minors to make the giants a better offensive team but he needs to be more consistant when given the playing time so hopefully this will be the year he puts it all together or this maybe his last year in SF.
usually when it comes to Bochy talking about young players he sounds insincere but I cant help but get the feeling he means what he says about Bowker so I think with Meulens as the hitting coach Bochy may give him more playing time this year.With the playing time he’d likely get this year he could and I hope he does break out. Last year it was Sandoval hopefully this year its Bowker.