Long Beach Press-Telegram - Top catching prospect gets call

[jcrmoon42]

Chuck Bowers, thought by many to be the best catching prospect in the game, perhaps even better than Dinky Lipp with Hawaii, is being given a chance at the big league level this season. He isn't starting just yet as Paul Barfoot is doing the full-time catching at the big league level.

An unheralded 14th round pick from Pensacola, Florida, Bowers was drafted initially by New Orleans, given a small taste of rookie ball, and released. A Long Beach team which was swooping up any young players who could actually spell "baseball" at the time picked him up. Only 18 at the time, Bowers seemed to be making a home at Rookie League Cayucos, showing glimmers of hope both in his performance, albeit in limited time, and in his abilities. Suddenly, after the 2004 season, he started to show more than anyone had hoped and has continued his meteoric rise since then. Now, he is easily the second best catcher in the Long Beach organization, and some have argued that he needs to be getting playing time in AAA. However, this team is in a pennant race, and they need their best players in the big leagues. So, for now, he will get to learn at the highest level with management keeping a close eye on his development.

If Homicide Carver, their big-time third base prospect, doesn't start to pick it up at the bat, at least against righties, the club might move Barfoot to third and allow Bowers a chance to show what he can do. He has a bright future. Now, all he needs is a chance to play.