John Bowker (baseball)
John Bowker | |
---|---|
First baseman / Outfielder | |
Born: Sacramento, California, U.S. | July 8, 1983|
Batted: Left Threw: Left | |
Professional debut | |
MLB: April 12, 2008, for the San Francisco Giants | |
NPB: March 30, 2012, for the Yomiuri Giants | |
Last appearance | |
MLB: September 27, 2011, for the Philadelphia Phillies | |
NPB: August 16, 2014, for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles | |
MLB statistics | |
Batting average | .232 |
Hits | 133 |
Home runs | 17 |
Runs batted in | 73 |
NPB statistics | |
Batting average | .239 |
Hits | 160 |
Home runs | 24 |
Runs batted in | 78 |
Teams | |
Career highlights and awards | |
|
John Brite Bowker (born July 8, 1983) is an American former professional baseball outfielder and first baseman. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Francisco Giants, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Philadelphia Phillies and in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Yomiuri Giants and Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles. Bowker stands 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 m) tall and weighs 205 pounds (93 kg); he bats and throws left-handed.
Bowker was drafted out of
Early life
Bowker was born to Brite and Chris Bowker on July 8, 1983, in
College career
After graduating from Rio Americano, Bowker enrolled at Long Beach State University. In 2004, he led the LBSU Dirtbags to the NCAA Super Regionals and was included on the 1st Team All-Big West. Bowker batted .323 in his first two years at Long Beach.
Professional career
Draft and minor leagues
Bowker entered the 2004 Major League Baseball (MLB) Draft and was selected in the third round by the San Francisco Giants.[2][3]
To begin his minor league career, Bowker was assigned to the rookie-league
In 2005, Bowker attended Giants'
Bowker attended spring training with the Giants in 2006, but he was sent to the minors on March 2.[7] He spent most of the season with San Jose, where he batted .284 with 131 hits, 6 triples, 7 home runs, and 66 RBI in 112 games.[4] His 32 doubles ranked tenth overall in the league.[8] In 5 playoff games, he batted .182 with 4 hits, 2 doubles, and 1 triple.[2] He also appeared in two games for the triple-A Fresno Grizzlies of the Pacific Coast League, where he had two hits in four at bats.[4]
Bowker attended spring training with the Giants in 2007 but only appeared in two spring training games.
Entering the 2008 season, Bowker was named the ninth best prospect in the Giants' organization by Baseball America.[10] He attended spring training again but was sent to Fresno on March 11.[11]
San Francisco Giants (2008–2010)
2008
On April 11, Bowker was called up by the Giants, and he joined the team the next day after having only 3 hours of sleep the night before. In a 7–5 loss to the
2009
On March 29, 2009, Bowker was optioned to Fresno.[23] In June, Bowker was named the Pacific Coast League player of the week for two straight weeks (May 24–31 and June 1–7) after batting .519 with five doubles, six home runs, 16 runs scored, and 18 RBI over that span.[24] He was called up to the Giants on July 9 when Ryan Sadowski was optioned to Fresno.[25] On July 19, he had a game-winning sacrifice fly against Zach Duke in the Giants' 4–3 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates.[26] Bowker split time in left field with Randy Winn and at first base with Ishikawa, but he was returned to Fresno on July 26 so the Giants could call up Eugenio Vélez after Bowker batted .156 with 4 RBI in 11 games.[25][27][28] He was recalled at the beginning of August but was sent back to Fresno after appearing in two games.[27] On August 16, Bowker tied a Grizzlies' record (shared by Dante Powell) by driving in seven runs in an 8–5 victory over the Nashville Sounds. He hit three-run home runs against Tim Dillard and John Axford, and he was walked with the bases loaded by David Johnson.[29] On September 1, he was recalled when rosters expanded.[30] He was used mainly as a pinch-hitter until September 23, when he took over left field after Vélez was moved from left field to second base to replace the injured Freddy Sanchez.[27][31] In 31 games with the Giants that year, Bowker batted .194 with 13 hits, 2 doubles, 2 triples, 2 home runs, and 7 RBI in 67 at bats. In 104 games at Fresno, he batted .342 with 125 hits, 22 doubles, 4 triples, 21 home runs, and 83 RBI.[4] He tied for ninth in the league in home runs (with Prentice Redman) and tied for eight in RBI (with Allen Craig).[32] He led the league in batting, becoming the first Fresno player to win the batting title since Brian Dallimore in 2003. Bowker was named to the PCL's regular-season All-Star team, post-season All-Star team, and All-PCL team.[2]
2010
Although Nate Schierholtz was expected to be the Giants' Opening Day right fielder in 2010, Bowker won the position after hitting six home runs in spring training.[33] On April 7, Bowker hit a two-run home run against Brett Myers in a 10–4 victory over the Houston Astros.[34] After batting .214 with four RBI in his first 10 games, Bowker was replaced by Schierholtz as the starting right fielder on April 17.[35][36] On May 7, Bowker hit a ninth-inning game-tying home run against Francisco Rodríguez in an eventual 6–4 loss to the New York Mets.[37] After batting .207 with 17 hits, 3 doubles, 3 home runs, and 8 RBI in 41 games, Bowker was optioned to Fresno on June 2 to make room for Pat Burrell on the roster.[2][38] He was named the PCL Player of the Week from June 14 to June 21 after he had a 13-game hitting streak and a 6-game RBI streak end that week.[2]
Pittsburgh Pirates (2010–2011)
After batting .310 with 61 hits, 12 doubles, 14 home runs, and 36 RBI in 51 games with Fresno, Bowker and
Bowker made the Pirates' Opening Day roster in 2011 as a reserve oufielder.
Philadelphia Phillies (2011)
On August 30, 2011, Bowker was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies for a player to be named later or cash.[50] Bowker was used almost exclusively as a pinch-hitter with the Phillies.[51] He had no hits in 13 at-bats with the Phillies and was left off their postseason roster.[2][52] With the Phillies and Pirates in 2011, Bowker batted .133 with two RBI in 31 games.[2]
Yomiuri Giants
On January 10, 2012, Bowker was released by the Phillies in order to pursue a career in Nippon Professional Baseball.[53] Three days later, he signed a one-year deal with the Yomiuri Giants.[54]
He struggled in the regular season, having only .196 batting average, 3 home runs and 10 RBIs. But his performance in the
San Francisco Giants
In January 2015, Bowker signed a minor league contract with the Giants to return to playing baseball in America.[55] Along with Ryan Vogelsong, who had played for the Orix Buffaloes, he is the second Giants draftee to return to the Giants after playing in NPB.
Pittsburgh Pirates
On June 11, 2015 Bowker was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates organization for a PTBNL. He elected free agency on November 6.[56]
Fukushima Hopes
On May 9, 2017, Bowker signed with the Fukushima Hopes of the Baseball Challenge League. He became a free agent after the season.
Personal life
Growing up, Bowker rooted for the San Francisco Giants, the team that drafted him. His uncle, Jeff Carmichael (who coached him growing up), helps him train during the offseason.[1]
References
- ^ a b Kelly, Duffy (April 2009). "All Work and Some Play" (PDF). Inside Arden. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2012-03-12.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "John Bowker Stats, Video Highlights, Photos, Bio". MLB.com. Retrieved 2012-03-28.
- ^ Draper, Rich (2004-06-08). "Giants draft power early". MLB.com. Archived from the original on 2012-03-02. Retrieved 2012-03-30.
- ^ a b c d e f g "John Bowker Minor League Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com (Minors). Retrieved 2012-04-02.
- ^ Draper, Rich (March 2, 2005). "Notes: Bowker enjoys stay in camp". San Francisco Giants. Retrieved August 18, 2012.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Brief Background". San Jose Giants. Retrieved 2012-04-02.
- ^ "Transactions". The New York Times. 2006-03-03. Retrieved 2012-04-06.
- ^ "2006 California League Batting Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com (Minors). Retrieved 2012-04-03.
- ^ a b "2007 Eastern League Batting Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com (Minors). Retrieved 2012-04-05.
- ^ Baggarly, Andy (2007-12-14). "San Francisco Giants Top 10 Prospects". Baseball America. Retrieved 2012-04-05.
- ^ Eymer, Rick (2008-03-11). "Giants cut four from Major League camp". San Francisco Giants. Retrieved 2012-04-07.
- ^ Ratto, Ray (2008-04-13). "Bowker's big debut the best part of the day". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 2008-04-13.
- ^ Shea, John (2008-04-13). "Another crusher for Cain". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 2008-04-13.
- ^ Schulman, Henry (2008-04-14). "Giants' call-up owns HR record". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 2008-05-13.
- ^ a b c "John Bowker 2008 Batting Gamelog". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2012-04-10.
- ^ "Rich Aurilia 2008 Batting Gamelogs". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2012-04-10.
- ^ Seidel, Jeff (2008-06-07). "Bowker's slam puts away win for Giants". San Francisco Giants. Retrieved 2011-01-20.
- ^ Haft, Chris (2008-07-03). "Giants lose battle of homers to Cubs". San Francisco Giants. Retrieved 2012-04-10.
- ^ Urban, Mychael (2008-07-14). "Giants' All-Stars soak up experience". San Francisco Giants. Retrieved 2012-04-10.
- ^ "Travis Ishikawa 2008 Batting Gamelogs". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2012-04-10.
- ^ Haft, Chris (2008-08-13). "Giants add young trio to lineup". San Francisco Giants. Archived from the original on 2008-08-16. Retrieved 2012-04-10.
- ^ Birnbaum, Jeff (2008-09-02). "Schierholtz in latest batch of callups". San Francisco Giants. Archived from the original on 2014-05-04. Retrieved 2012-04-11.
- ^ Haft, Chris (2009-03-29). "Posey finally leaves big league camp". San Francisco Giants. Archived from the original on 2013-06-15. Retrieved 2012-04-12.
- ^ "Bowker Wins 2nd Straight PCL Honors". Fresno Grizzlies. 2009-06-08. Retrieved 2012-04-14.
- ^ a b Pentis, Andrew (2009-07-09). "Bowker recalled by Giants". San Francisco Giants. Retrieved 2012-04-13.
- ^ Staats, Wayne (2009-07-19). "Cain excellent as Giants take finale". San Francisco Giants. Retrieved 2012-04-13.
- ^ a b c "John Bowker 2009 Batting Gamelogs". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2012-04-13.
- ^ Pentis, Andrew (2009-07-26). "Giants recall Guzman, Velez from Triple-A". San Francisco Giants. Retrieved 2012-04-13.
- ^ Greenwald, Doug (2009-08-17). "Bowker Has 7 RBIs In Sunday's Win". Fresno Grizzlies. Retrieved 2012-04-14.
- ^ Haft, Chris (2009-09-01). "Giants add Bowker, Joaquin, Guzman". San Francisco Giants. Retrieved 2012-04-14.
- ^ Singer, Tom (2009-09-23). "Sanchez's knee will need surgery". San Francisco Giants. Retrieved 2012-04-14.
- ^ "2009 Pacific Coast League Batting Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2012-04-16.
- ^ Haft, Chris (2010-04-04). "Bowker earns right-field job for Giants". San Francisco Giants. Archived from the original on 2013-10-14. Retrieved 2012-04-17.
- ^ Haft, Chris (2010-04-07). "Giants complete sweep of Astros". San Francisco Giants. Archived from the original on 2012-04-06. Retrieved 2012-04-18.
- ^ a b "John Bowker 2010 Batting Gamelogs". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2012-04-18.
- ^ "Nate Schierholtz 2010 Batting Gamelogs". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2012-04-18.
- ^ Haft, Chris (2010-05-07). "Bowker's blast only postpones Giants loss". San Francisco Giants. Retrieved 2012-04-19.
- ^ Haft, Chris (2010-06-03). "Opening Day right fielder sent to Fresno". San Francisco Giants. Retrieved 2012-04-20.
- ^ Haft, Chris (2010-07-31). "Giants bolster bullpen at Deadline". San Francisco Giants. Archived from the original on 2010-08-03. Retrieved 2012-04-20.
- ^ "John Bowker Stats, Bio, Photos, Highlights". Indianapolis Indians. Retrieved 2012-04-20.
- ^ Langosch, Jenifer (2010-09-01). "Pirates call up Bowker to bolster bench". Pittsburgh Pirates. Retrieved 2012-04-21.
- ^ "Lastings Milledge 2010 Batting Gamelogs". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2012-04-21.
- ^ Langosch, Jenifer (2010-09-18). "McCutchen, Bowker power Pirates to win". Pittsburgh Pirates. Retrieved 2012-04-21.
- ^ Langosch, Jenifer (2010-09-22). "Morton's gem delivers Bucs' fifth straight win". Pittsburgh Pirates. Retrieved 2012-04-23.
- ^ Langosch, Jenifer (2010-09-28). "Jones, Burres star in Bucs' win over Cards". Pittsburgh Pirates. Retrieved 2012-04-23.
- ^ Langosch, Jenifer (2011-03-31). "Pirates' 25-man roster set before opener". Pittsburgh Pirates. Retrieved 2012-04-23.
- ^ Langosch, Jenifer (2011-04-27). "Impending move ends Bowker's Bucs tenure". Pittsburgh Pirates. Retrieved 2012-04-23.
- ^ Langosch, Jenifer (2011-05-04). "Crotta looking to get back on track". Pittsburgh Pirates. Retrieved 2011-05-05.
- ^ "2011 International League Batting Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2012-04-24.
- ^ Zolecki, Todd (2011-08-31). "Phillies bolster bench with trade for Bowker". Philadelphia Phillies. Retrieved 2012-04-24.
- ^ "John Bowker 2011 Batting Gamelogs". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2012-04-24.
- ^ Zolecki, Todd (2011-09-30). "Blanton in bullpen as NLDS roster finalized". Philadelphia Phillies. Retrieved 2012-04-30.
- ^ Berry, Adam (January 10, 2012). "On way to Japan, John Bowker released by Phils". Philadelphia Phillies. Retrieved March 12, 2012.
- ^ "巨人 新外国人ボウカーを獲得発表「日本の文化や慣習学ぶ」". Sponichi Annex. 2012-01-13. Retrieved 2012-02-19.
- ^ Eddy, Matt. "Minor League Transactions: Jan 16-22 – BaseballAmerica.com". Baseball America. Retrieved 14 February 2015.
- ^ "International League Transactions". milb.com. p. November 2015. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
External links
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors), or Retrosheet
- John Bowker at Pura Pelota (Venezuelan Professional Baseball League)