Post#2 » by TSC25 » Sat Dec 20, 2008 3:02 pm
Adam Loewen is an outfielder and former pitcher currently with the Toronto Blue Jays organization. He bats and throws left-handed.
After one season with Chipola College, Loewen signed a Major League Baseball contract worth $4.02 million with the Baltimore Orioles as the No. 4 pick of the 2002 Major League Baseball Draft, the highest a Canadian player has ever been drafted.
In 2004, he was named their top prospect by Baseball America. In early 2006, he was moved down to being the team's second best prospect.
Loewen garnered international attention on March 8, 2006, when he started for Canada against the star-studded United States team in the first round of the World Baseball Classic. In 3 2/3 shutout innings, Loewen held hitless such veteran American luminaries as Chipper Jones, Mark Teixeira, Vernon Wells, and Derrek Lee. He ended up earning the win as Canada won the game 8-6.
During the 2006 season, Loewen was called up by the Orioles. In his first four Major League starts, he faced former Cy Young Award winners: Randy Johnson, Tom Glavine and Roy Halladay twice. This made Loewen the first pitcher in Major League Baseball history to face Cy Young winners in his first four starts.He was injured early in the 2007 season, suffering a stress fracture to his right elbow and was later placed on the 15-day disabled list.
In spring training in 2008, he led the majors in walks, with 19 in 16.2 innings.
After injury and control problems during the 2008 season, Loewen was converted into a relief pitcher. However, in July 2008, he suffered a stress fracture in his pitching elbow, causing him to end his pitching career.
In the middle of the 2008 season, he was ruled out for the rest year following his pitching injuries.On July 19, 2008, Loewen announced that he would no longer be a pitcher due to injuries to his elbow, and that he will pursue a career as an outfielder or first baseman.
Loewen was reported to begin the transformation from pitcher to outfielder on September 8, when he'll start working with hitting coach Terry Crowley. He'll stay with the team for a week before being sent to the instructional league. He was released on October 20, 2008.
Loewen signed a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays on October 24 as he continues his transition from pitcher to outfielder.