After slow start, Keys' Rowell adjusts
Position changes can be tough but Single-A Frederick Keys right fielder Billy Rowell seems to be enjoying his shift to the outfield.
“[Orioles director of player development] David Stockstill and I talked in the offseason, and we thought it was a good move for this season to do that, so I feel like it’s a positive,” Rowell said about his jump from third base to right field.
While he didn’t make the decision to transition away from the infield, Rowell accepts the move and hopes to use it to his benefit.
“[The Orioles] wanted to take a little pressure off me at third base,” Rowell said. “Right field isn’t as demanding of a position ... so I can concentrate more on my hitting.”
The 20-year-old outfielder struggled at the beginning of the season -- both in the field and at the plate -- but he is playing well recently.
In his past 10 games, Rowell is batting .361 (13-for-36) with four doubles, two RBIs and seven runs scored.
The 6-foot-5, 205-pound outfielder is hitting .284 with one home run and six RBIs in 20 games for the Keys. Rowell is tied for 10th in the Carolina League with six doubles in 2009 -- teammate Brandon Waring is tied for fifth -- and he is third on the team with 11 runs scored.
Despite his recent success, Rowell still needs to reduce his strikeouts. He has struck out 20 times this season, including 12 in the past 10 games. His plate discipline seems to be improving, however, with 10 walks so far in 2009.
Defensively, Rowell is still learning to play the outfield.
"Everyone in the organization knew he was going to make some mistakes early in the season, but that's probably his best position, to be honest with you, in the outfield," Keys manager Richie Hebner said.
Rowell says he feels more comfortable in his second season with Frederick. “I know what to expect now," Rowell said. "I know what the league is about. I know the traveling and all of that stuff.”
"I just [have to] take that and capitalize on it,” Rowell added.
The Orioles’ first-round selection in the 2006 MLB draft hopes to improve on the fundamentals this season.
“You have to work on all facets of your game,” Rowell said. “I’m just looking for a good winning season, and I feel like this team is going to have an exciting year.”
“Just do the little things every day to reach the big leagues,” he added. “Hopefully, I can do that this year and put up some good numbers.”
Rowell isn’t sure if the move to the outfield is permanent, but he knows the chances of making it to the major leagues increase if you’re able to play multiple positions.
“We’re just taking it year by year,” Rowell said. “It just really opens up a lot of possibilities. ... "Every day you learn something, how to be a professional ... just how to carry yourself on and off the field,” he said. “And I feel like I’ve done that. I just need to keep it up.”
Ultimately, Rowell knows that his path to the major leagues is dependent upon his approach at the plate.
“Hitting is going to get you to the big leagues,” he said. “That’s what I’m really concentrating on this year.”
Comments
What about moving Rowell to first? Outfield seems to be a littl logjammed right now.
Posted by: F. Pants McFadden | April 30, 2009 10:44 AM
Dean -- was Rowell just awful at 3B? I assume the reason for the position change was that the organization felt he didn't project to the majors at that position...but wouldn't it have been worth a little more time to make sure? He's only 20, and we've got Markakis and Jones in RF and CF, with (possibly) Reimold filling LF soon. Meanwhile, it seems 3B is a problem spot, with Mora getting older. Could he still shift back, or is this permanent?
Posted by: JD | April 30, 2009 11:12 AM
Good for him. He would be a junior in college. He can hit some moon shots when he connects. He also will gain 20 or so pounds. Best thing about him is his home town in NJ. What a great name!
Posted by: Herb | April 30, 2009 12:26 PM
Thanks, Dean. I always appreciate your informative updates. Rowell surely has youth on his side, and he seems to have a sensible head, as well. Hope he can keep improving. At 6'5", he sounds like a 1B to me; but if putting him in the OF for a while helps mature his hitting, I don't think the fielding practice will hurt him.
Posted by: maumau | April 30, 2009 1:04 PM
Thanks for the update on Rowell, I know he is young (20) but this will be his second season with the keys and I would like to see him put up the numbers with his bat this year, if so then on to Bowie for 2010. Maybe he projects as a viable M.L.'er by 2013?
Posted by: delosfan | April 30, 2009 1:42 PM
Me again. If they let you go I'll mess up the HVAC system in your building. I nstalled MANY thermostats there.
Kidding about the 2nd line. Thanks
Posted by: Herb | April 30, 2009 4:34 PM
I'm with JD and maumau. With our starting outfield looking like it should be locked down for years to come, has the organization given any thought to testing him out at 1B? Huff has been doing great, but he's obviously not young. It would be nice to have a home-grown power-hitting 1B come up for us...
Posted by: Jason L. | April 30, 2009 5:12 PM
Rowell can't move to first because Brandon Snyder has him blocked ahead of him. Also, keep in mind, if Wieters were to ever become injured to the point that he couldn't catch, he's also headed for first. So Rowell is at least second, maybe third, on the depth chart at first.
And to answer an earlier question, yes, Rowell was indeed that bad at third. It was never pretty, though often comical.
Posted by: sonderweg | April 30, 2009 7:34 PM
Dean,
Glad you are still here.
I agree with McFadden, who do we have at first in the minors?
Posted by: Richard Old O's fan | April 30, 2009 10:57 PM
I got Billy's autograph last year, when The Keys played at The Lynchburg Hillcats! When Billy makes it to the majors, I'll say that I told you all along!
Posted by: Oriole Fan From New York | April 30, 2009 11:08 PM
He's probably a 1B down the road, but if you can retain a little flexibility, as the article mentions, that's all to the good.
At least one of the mags was down on him last year, said he was
challenged defensively, had a long swing and - worst of all - didn't show any heart.
Chatter aside, the main problem was that he had not been hitting enough. But so far this year, he's even put up some decent numbers against lefties!
Here's hoping the hot streak continues!
Posted by: Tim | May 1, 2009 7:56 AM
That's what I hate about this organization and why they will never be winners anytime soon. Oh, we have Brandon Snyder at 1st so we won't play Rowell there. Newsflash, not every 1st round draft pick becomes a star, not in any sport and especially not in Baseball!!! That's why Cal was moved to 3rd because Bob Bonner (who came up with Cal) never made it at short. Scouts and minor league personnel knew this in the old days.
Posted by: shorefan | May 1, 2009 8:13 AM