Loewen update

Hey, how’s Adam Loewen doing?

The pitcher-turned-hitter-turned Toronto Blue Jay has been swinging a bat in the minor leagues for about four months now. J.P. Ricciardi estimated it would take Loewen 1,000 at-bats in the minors before the Jays could make a proper assessment. Well, he’s exactly one-quarter of the way there following action Tuesday night.

Results have been mixed so far, but things look like they may be on the upswing for the 25-year-old.

Loewen got off to rough start, hitting .192 (19-for-99) over the first two months of the year.  However, things have been much better since then. In June and July combined, the left-handed hitting Loewen posted a .285 (43-for-151) average. The power numbers aren’t there, as he’s managed just two home runs and 23 RBIs on the year. But on the plus side, he’s showing he can draw a walk — he’s done so 37 times this season, helping lead to on-base percentages of .393 in June and .366 in July.

Strikeouts continue to be an issue — he’s compiled 78 in 76 games so far. But that’s to be expected for a young hitter (especially one returning from a long hiatus away from the batter’s box).

But one can’t help but be encouraged by this split: After batting .207 in 43 games prior to the all-star game, Loewen has batted .305 in 33 games since. His numbers across the board are much better since the Florida State League all-star break — .408 on-base percentage, .894 OPS, and a greatly improved walk-to-strikeout ratio (19/25 compared with 18/53 before the break).

All of this adds up to the following overall numbers in 78 games this season: .248 (62-for-250), .347 OBP, .715 OPS, 18 doubles, 2 HR, 23 RBI, 37 BB, 78 K.

We’ll keep you posted …

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