# Friday, July 04, 2008
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So I went to the AquaSox tonight and was excited that they were playing the Yakima Bears because I really wanted to see their center fielder, Colin Cowgill. If you'll recall, Cowgill was one of the ten hitters I liked in this year's draft. He's a small guy, listed at just 5-foot 9, but the bat's legit.

In the 8th inning tonight, facing reliever Doug Salinas, Cowgill looked at three balls in a row. When the fourth pitch came in, it was close and he began to sprint down to first, but the umpire called him back — strike one. Cowgill got his revenge, though. The next pitch was a belt-high fastball that Cowgill smoked over the right-center wall.

When I checked the box score when I got home, I did a double-take when I saw that it was his 11th home run of the season. ELEVEN freaking home runs in just 16 games. To put it in perspective, the next highest home run total in the Northwest League is three. He has more home runs than any other team in the league. Cowgill has almost 20 percent of the league's home runs — it's ridiculous.

I'm going to the game on Sunday and I hope to see Cowgill again. But if he's not there, I completely understand.
Friday, July 04, 2008 7:13:20 AM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #    Disclaimer  |  Comments [5]  | 
Friday, July 04, 2008 5:27:11 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
Is it wrong that I read that and the first thing I thought was, "Haha, Salinas got demoted to the pen..."?

I'm surprised that the D-Backs would stash this guy in short season ball. Maybe they're protecting an investment... though that's usually a step taken with pitchers, not hitters, especially not a manbeast like Cowgill. They ought to fast track that guy.

And of course, if they don't want, I'm sure the M's will be glad to take him.
Saturday, July 05, 2008 2:07:05 AM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
Well, he was just drafted this year (5th round), so it's just a starting place for him. He'll be moved up before the season's over, I'm sure.
Wednesday, July 09, 2008 5:58:29 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
Yeah, Collin's a beast. I saw him at the Frogs games this weekend too... really smacked the tar outta the ball. Then again, he does have the advantage of the small strike zone. :-) I'm surprised that he hasn't moved up a level already. If you were at the Frogs you saw the M's own baby beast, Dennis Raben, who's been with the team for four days and has gone 10-for-12 with a HR and five, count 'em, FIVE doubles. He was an extra base hitter at Miami and had an outstanding season on the Cape last year, but nothing like he's been so far here. Was he projected this good, or is the Bear pitching just that hittable?
Pete R
Saturday, July 12, 2008 9:40:21 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
You probably already heard, but Collin was called up to South Bend (mid-A) on Thursday.
Pete R
Monday, July 14, 2008 7:47:48 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
Hey Pete - Thanks for checking out my site! Yes, Raben is a beast as well and I'm sure he'll receive a promotion of his own.
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