Orioles? phenom Adam Loewen couldn?t have asked for a better start to the 2006 season.
Baltimore?s fourth overall pick from the 2002 draft parlayed a fantastic performance in the Arizona Fall League to an eye-opening performance in the World Baseball Classic.
“Everything has been going great,” said Loewen, who is now with the Double-A Bowie Baysox. “The biggest thing for me is to stay healthy. If I can do that and build up innings, I can build on last year.”
Loewen, 22, silenced a potent lineup of American all-stars, shutting out the United States team over 3.2 innings in an upset victory for the Canadians. With a limited pitch count, Loewen allowed just three hits and earned the win.
He was also afforded the opportunity to face a “boyhood idol.”
“I think the player that I was most wanting to face was Ken Griffey, Jr. because I watched him play when I was going through high school and middle school, because he was right down the road in Seattle, which is just two hours away, so we caught all their games,” Loewen said.
“Hesmacked a double off me, and all I could do was smile because he hit it so hard,” Loewen said.
“I?ve played some international competition before, but nothing like that,” Loewen said. “That was actually the best players possible for each country.”
With just 15 minutes before the deadline to sign with the Orioles, Loewen inked a deal in 2003 that included a provision stating that he must make be on the active Major League roster by 2007.
Loewen feels no pressure from the contract stipulation, and said the deadline should be met without issue, and barring any setbacks or injury, it could happen later this summer.
“This year my goal is to get a call-up, whether it is halfway through the year or at the end of the season,” Loewen said. “I just want to see what I can do in the big leagues. That?s been my goal every year, but this year it might be a little more realistic.”
Through 32.2 innings, Loewen is 2-2 with a 3.03 ERA, and 36 strikeouts and 14 walks in games through Sunday.
Loewen is picking the brain of former big leaguer and current Bowie pitching coach Scott McGregor, the winning pitcher when the Orioles clinched the 1983 World Series.
“He?s the real thing,” McGregor said. “He?s been throwing the ball very, very well. He?s just going to get better and better.”
Loewen had the brief opportunity to work with renowned pitching coach Leo Mazzone in Orioles spring camp. Though his time with the former Atlanta Braves coach was short, Loewen was left with a lasting impression that he hopes will improve his command of what he considers his best pitch: his fastball.
“I had a little bit of time, not as much as I would have liked to,” Loewen said. “Just to hear what he had to say during the time that I did have to work with him was huge.”
THE LOEWEN FILE
Hometown: Surrey, Brittish Columbia
Team: Bowie Baysox, Orioles AA affiliate
Position: Left-handed pitcher
Repertoire: Fastball, curveball, slider, changeup
Did you know? Loewen pitched in seven games, including six starts, in the Arizona Fall League in 2005. He was 2-1 with a league-best 1.67 ERA and 26 strikeouts in 27 innings against baseball?s top rising prospects ? In 28 games with Frederick in 2005, Loewen was 10-8 with a 4.12 ERA in 142 innings, with 146 strikeouts and 86 walks ? The Baysox won the Eastern League title in 2005, and currently have former Orioles Calvin Maduro, Jeff Fiorentino, and short-term call-up Chris Britton on the roster.
