Still More on John Bowker

John Bowker had another big game last night.  He’s now leading the Pacific Coast League in batting average (.355), OBP (.459) and OPS (1.089) (Jake Fox no longer has enough plate appearances to qualify).  Bowker is also third in slugging percentage at .630.  He and starting pitcher Kevin Pucetas, who is now 8-2 with a 3.17 ERA, have both been selected to play in the PCL All-Star Game.

Here’s an article from the Sacramento Bee about Bowker, who’s from the Sacramento area.  It talks about the frustrations Bowker must be facing, playing as well as he is at AAA and not getting a call-up.  Bowker is quoted as saying the right things, however; about how his job is to play well and help the team he’s with win ballgames.

This is basically all a player like Bowker can do.  He has no control over the fact that the Giants have too many competent outfielders already.  All he can do is stay focused on continuing to play well at Fresno.  If he does so, the Giants will eventually be forced to take notice and do something, whether it’s call him up or trade him to a team that needs an outfielder.

Something all professional ballplayers at all levels need to learn is that their job wherever they may be playing is focusing on playing the game and helping their current team win.  If they do so, things will tend to work out for them in the long run, provided, of course, that they have the talent to advance eventually to the majors.

As for Kevin Pucetas, after a rocky start, he has a 1.98 ERA over his last eight starts (he has 16 starts on the season).  One has to think that Ryan Sadowski is one bad start from getting sent down in favor of Pucetas, whose two years younger.