An Agent’s Best Friend

Micah Owings Homerun How sweet would it be to represent an MLB starting pitcher? Now image that the pitcher can hit too. Not only hit, but crush the ball. Well that is exactly what Scott Boras has in Micah Owings. Not only is Owings a solid 4 or 5 starter, but he can hit in the 9 spot or even pinch hit like we saw last week.

I know it’s early in the season, but this guy has turned into a real weapon for the D-backs. Teammate Conor Jackson went as far as saying he has the most pop of all the Diamondback players.

It makes me think that this may turn into a new trend in the sport of baseball. Now some may think I’m nuts, but how many people thought the NFL would adapt a two running back system, or that we would see 7 foot sharp shooters in the NBA? Teams are always looking for an advantage. Having a pitcher who can hit and essentially be the DH in a national league lineup is huge. Pitchers in high school and college are usually the best athletes and hitters on the team, and it’s time to develop these players and take advantage of such pitchers.

Talk about a bargaining chip for his agent. When it comes time for a new contract, not only can Boras sell his client on being a very serviceable starter, but a guy who can legitimately hit and be an asset in the line-up. He is no longer a pitcher that can help his team once every five days.

I can see it now…Boras pulling up comps and some guy Babe Ruth comes into the discussion.

http://blog.xclusivesm.com Matthew Vuckovich

In due time I think more pitchers will spend their “off hours” in the cages taking some BP. Who knows, it may be the next best thing besides a LHP on the roster…
http://sportsbusinessdigest.com Emmett Jones

Yeah, I agree with you and Matt. In fact, I give it 10 years and I think the hitting pitcher is going to become so popular that it will in essence replace the DH in the American League.
http://www.sportsagentblog.com Darren Heitner

I disagree about replacing the DH. Too many baseball books document the reasoning behind its initial appearance. Charlie O., owner of the Athletics, wanted to go as far as implementing designated runners. The DH may have been the AL’s savior. Owners would be too resistant to experiment with going back to the old ways. I think we may see more pitchers in the NL that can hit, though, and potentially move up from the 9 spot in the order.
Jared March

I don’t think Owings is going to change the game or really help his contract value all that much. His next contract will mostly just reflect how well he pitches. He is without question the best hitting pitcher in the league right now but he only gets to bat 1/5 games if he remains in the NL and once a game in the games he doesn’t pitch as a pinch hitter. It’s good to have a strong bat on the bench but how much do NL teams really pay for their best bat coming off the bench? I do think he will capitalize off of his abilities with the bat to some extent but if he doesn’t pitch like a top pitcher (he has been good this year pitching too)he won’t get paid like one. As for other pitchers, they might spend more time in BP going forward but it’s not as if they aren’t trying already, it is just really rare to have a pitcher with that type of ability at the plate.

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