With 58-21 Record and Shelf Full of Awards, Josh Lowey Is Still Looking for a Major League Organization

It is a never-ending question why some players get their contract picked up by a major league organization while others with decidedly better credentials do not.

Our focus today is on pitcher Josh Lowey.

Start with the fact the right-hander has put together a 58-21 record the last five seasons in three separate Independent leagues.  Those are Whitey Ford and Pedro Martinez winning percentages.  Outstanding at any level of the game.

And Lowey has been an all-star or better every year.  The starting pitcher on the Frontier League postseason all-stars in 2009, his first full professional season when he went 9-2 at River City (O’Fallon, MO) .  Championship Series MVP for those same Rascals after an 8-5 regular season in 2010.  He was Pitcher of the Year in the Frontier League the next year (11-2 for River City) and won the same honor when he stepped up to the American Association and went 15-4 for Wichita, KS one year ago.  The Fort Walton Beach, FL native went 14-8 for Somerset, NJ this past summer and led the loaded Atlantic League with a 2.89 earned run average.

Top it all off with the fact Baseball America has had him on its respected all-Independent team each of the last three seasons.

“It it very tough to say why (I have not gotten an opportunity),” Lowey admitted from his current home in Orlando, FL.   “Height and age always get mentioned,” he added, but he stands 5-foot-11 and does not turn 29 until December 26.

I sit at my desk and see stories about 30-somethings getting signed with some regularity, and what is wrong with standing 5-foot-11 instead of being an inch or two taller?  Give me the 58-21 record and the awards any day and I will take my chances.

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D-Backs Promote Bo Schultz to Major League Roster

Thanksgiving dinner is likely to seem especially tasty for onetime American Association hurler Bo Schultz since news arrived Wednesday that he had been added to the Arizona Diamondbacks’ 40-man roster after a strong showing in the Arizona Fall League.

The 28-year-old righty and Northwestern journalism grad, who was mostly a bullpen contributor (4-3, 4.13 in 37 appearances) while helping Grand Prairie, TX win the Association title in 2011, went 3-0 with a 3.09 earned run average in seven starts in the AFL after both starting and relieving for the D-Backs’ top two farm clubs this summer.

American Association Grad Opens Eyes for Arizona

One of the hidden gems to emerge from the American Association last season and earn praise from his new major league organization is left-handed-hitting outfielder David Peralta, a 26-year-old who originally was a pitcher.

The 6-foot-2, 225-pound Venezuelan hit .332 at Wichita, KS one year ago, .352 in 42 games at Amarillo, TX early this season, then continued at a .346 pace with 72 hits in 51 games in the California League for Arizona. 

“We purchased his contract, (our scouts, including Independent specialist Chris Carminucci ) knew about him, so we took a chance on him and he’s been a very pleasant surprise,” Director of Player Development Mike Bell praised on MiLB.com.  “He’s a good looking player; I was shocked.  He was outstanding for us, so I like him a lot.”

             (This is an excerpt from the column Bob Wirz writes year round on Independent Baseball.  Forty columns are planned during 2013.  Fans may subscribe at reduced rates at www.WirzandAssociates.com , enjoy added stories on the blog www.IndyBaseballChatter.com , or comment to RWirz@aol.com .  The author has 16 years of major league baseball public relations experience with Kansas City and as spokesman for two Commissioners and lives in Stratford, CT.)