Billy

Rowell

A high school shortstop who will probably move to third base in the pros, Rowell is a left-handed hitter with huge power potential. He should be ready to step in when Melvin Mora’s next contract extension expires.

Rowell will always be best known as the player selected one slot ahead of Tim Lincecum. He has struggled mightily with the bat in his six minor league seasons, and will attempt to further his career as a pitcher. He’s currently taking part in a throwing program in Florida.

This is the second time he has tested positive for a drug of abuse. Now 23 years old, Rowell is best known as the player who was selected ahead of Tim Lincecum in the 2006 Amateur Draft. He was hoping to make the switch from position player to pitcher this year, but the experiment is now on hold.

Rowell, the ninth overall pick in the 2006 MLB Amateur Draft, batted just .243/.306/.314 this summer between rookie ball and Double-A. The 24-year-old corner infielder will presumably try to join up with a new organization.

The 24-year-old former first round pick of the Orioles has been a major disappointment, only playing 41 games above A-ball in his six-year minor league career. He’ll attempt to latch on with a new organization.

Rowell, the ninth overall pick in last year’s draft, missed the first seven weeks with an oblique strain.

Rowell has picked it up some recently, though he’s still striking out too much. The 2006 first-round pick is batting .279/.346/.421 with 43 strikeouts in 140 at-bats since retuning from a strained oblique in late May. For an 18-year-old in full-season ball, that’s still pretty good.

Rowell, who is repeating the Carolina League after hitting .248/.315/.368 last year, is currently hitting .303/.361/.486 with four homers in 109 at-bats. It’s a fine line for a 20-year-old, but Rowell needs to show he can keep it up. A former third baseman, he’s currently playing right field regularly.

Rowell is expected back any day now. He reportedly was available to pinch-hit on Saturday.

Rowell’s ankle injury was supposed to be minor, but he ended up missing 18 days after going down on Opening Day.