Born on April 9th, 1984 in British Columbia, Adam Loewen is a giant at: 6’6” Tall and 220 Pounds. He currently holds a minor league contract with the Mets.
On July 4th Adam Loewen returned to the AAA lineup after going down earlier this season with an injury. Before the season I thought it might be Loewen, not Nieuwenhuis who would steal away a starting position from Jason Bay or Andres Torres. Do you recognize the name? If you are into prospects, you should.
Adam Loewen was the 4th overall prospect selected in the 2002 Amateur Draft. The Orioles thought that Loewen would become a lefty Ace to lead their rotation. Looking back… a lot of people thought they were right. Adam Loewen’s numbers in the minors, particularly his 2006 campaign were good enough to make most teams excited. Between AA and AAA he managed a 2.28 ERA, 71 IP, 76 Ks and only 29 BBs. He was promoted to the majors… and not so great: 5.37 ERA, 112.1 IP, 98 Ks and 62 BBs.
Still… if not for injuries, he might have recovered. His stuff was crushing minor leaguers, he just couldn’t put things together in the majors. Instead, in 2009, Toronto decided to give Adam Loewen a shot at redemption by converting him into an outfielder. Rick Ankiel Part II took a little while to get rolling but in 2011 and in AAA he had a triple slash of .306/.377/.508. He clubbed 17 HRs and managed 11 SBs.
When the Mets nabbed him in the offseason, there weren’t a ton of fans who got too excited, but I was in Loewen’s camp. Now that he’s back from injury, let’s look at his first 4 games back.
- 7/4: 2-3, 1 BB
- 7/5: 1-5, 1 HR, 1 R, 3 RBI, 3 Ks
- 7/7: 2-4, 1 2B, 1 R, 2 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K
- 7/8: 2-3, 1 2B, 1 HR, 3 Runs, 2 RBIs, 2 BBs
- Total: 7-15, 2 2Bs, 2 HRs, 5 Runs, 7 RBIs, 4 BBs, 4 Ks
It’s a pretty impressive return, but does it mean anything? It’s hard to say. I will say that Loewen does have the potential to become a serious bat and the Mets should not sleep on him if they have the chance to use him in 2012. I only wish he weren’t a lefty.
Around The Minors:
AAA:
Mets Looking For Right Bat? What About Josh Satin – He’s hitting .284 with a .815 OPS and a 21:38 BB:K ratio, he’s similar to Justin Turner, but he’s an option.
Matt Harvey Doesn’t Miss A Beat – 6 innings, 6 Ks only 2 BBs and 2 ER. He’s looking like he’ll be up at the next injury.
Jeurys Familia… Phew! – July 6th he tossed 6.1 innings, giving up only 5 hits, 1 BB and 1 ER while striking out 5. He needs to do this like 3 more times in a row.
Mets Looking For Relief? What About Manny Acosta – I think someone just tried to shoot me! Listen, he’s only given up 3 ER in AAA and has a 22:1 BB:K ratio.
AA:
Wilmer Flores Likes The Challenge – Was AA supposed to stumble Wilmer Flores? He’s hitting .390/.433/.576 in his first 16 games at the level… so I guess it isn’t.
Allan Dykstra Is Healthy – He’s back in AA where he has little to prove but he does make the team crowded as the Mets now need to shuffle:, Flores, Marte, Havens, Campbell and Dykstra.
Reese Havens Quietly Getting Started – Don’t look now but Reese is starting to actually get on base with something other than a walk.
After Stumbling, Zack Wheeler Looks GREAT! – 7.1 IP, 6 Hits, 1 ER and 6 Ks. This is a start from a player who is ready for the next level.
A+:
T.J. Rivera Beginning To Figure Out A+ Pitching – He was great in Savannah but has struggled in Port St. Lucie. He’s starting to hit and show some power… SLOWLY.
Travis Teijeron Still Looks Like an Everyday OF – He’s got an OPS of .971 in A+ ball and that should be enough to carry him into the starting lineup for AA in 2013.
Cory Vaughn Is On A Good Streak – He’s been hot and cold so… expect another cold front, but he’s got 6 extra base hits in the last 7 games.
Taylor Whitendon Looks Like A Quality Reliever – 17.1 innings with only 9 hits, Good. The 11 Walks isn’t great, but the 22 Ks makes up for it a little.
Tyler Pill Earning His Way Up Rankings – He’s not giving up hits. It is hard to lose when you manage this.
A:
Camden Maron Is For Real – If I am right and he has more power than Thole, the Mets might have an everyday catcher on their hands.
Aderlin Rodriguez Hitting And Hitting And Hitting – He’s got 4 HRs in his last 7 games and his BA is up to .277 on the year. He’s not far from St. Lucie.
Michael Fulmer Wheels And Deals – 7 IP, 2 Hits, 1 BB, 4 Ks. 4 strikeouts doesn’t scream winner, but he had a two hit performance and that does.
Domingo Tapia Back As Starter – He’s stretched out again and will hopefully shine brightly once more.
R, Brooklyn:
David Boyd’s Explosive Start – In 7 games, Boyd has managed 10 hits. Of those hits he has 4 doubles, 1 triple and a home run. WOW!
R, Kingsport:
Akeel Morris Still Intriguing – Sure he has earned his 7.50 ERA, but he’s also managed a 10:3 BB:K ratio with 22 Ks in 18 innings. Give him some time and you’ll be pleased.
R, DSL 1 & 2:
Vicente Lupo Will Be On Your Lips In 2013 – He’s continued to hit and hit well with good power and patience.
Hengelbert Rojas Will Be Harder To Pronounce – He’s come on strong with a 1.041 OPS in the past 10 games.
Manuel Hilario Intrigues – He’s slugging .463 on the year and he’s 10 for 10 stealing bases. That is pretty cool… from a CATCHER!
Yoan Gonzalez Leads DSL Met Pitchers – He’s got a 0.91 WHIP and he’s struck out 33 in 28.2 innings. We’ll see if he’s the next Luis Mateo.
Looks to me like we do have some very good prospects coming up.