Is it time for Micah Owings to make the transition from pitching to batting?

Question

It seems like he isn't having that good a year pitching again, and could help the D'backs with his bat. They need offense, and he has shown some skills. I mean look at Rick Ankiel with the Cards. He did it so why can't Owings?

Answer 1

Micah Owings has been very disappointing for Fantasy Baseball players (like myself) because after his first seven or eight starts, he went in the barrel. I think he is a good hitter though and could be used consistently as a Pinch Hitter, but his pitching needs some work...

Answer 2

No!!! It is only his second year in the big leagues. To abandon pitching so soon would be really stupid.

Answer 3

Don't hold your breath. Players have made the change both from pitcher to hitter and from hitter to pitcher. But teams place a lot of value on pitching right now, and converting a player is a gamble and does not happen overnight. The Cards didn't embrace Ankiel's decision to convert, and it happened after many years of Ankiel failing to succeed as a pitcher. He lost his control, went to the minors, and suffered some injuries. He eventually gave up on pitching, which the Cardinals didn't seem too pleased with. Of course, it ended well for both Ankiel and the Cardinals. But you can't expect things like that to happen very often. Keep in mind that Rick Ankiel spent very little time in the majors between his pitching heyday in 2000 and his emergence as an outfielder in late 2007. That is a lot of lost time. Ankiel is a great player for the Cardinals, both offensively and defensively, but he was a huge disappointment for many years.

Answer 4

ya it would be smart

Answer 5

Theres so many pitchers that are good at hitting like CC and Zambrano so I think its very moronic that managers dont at least use these guys as pinch hitters at least

Answer 6

Yea thats what i've been...If he doesn't improve pitching they should and just move him to the OF and let him focus on hitting.

Answer 7

I agree. Make him into a 1B so Connor Jackson can get some rest. If it worked for Ankiel then it should work for Owings