Aaron Rowand

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Chicago White Sox #10 prospect in 2002
  Rowand spent more than half of last season with the White Sox, including 34 starts in the outfield, but still narrowly qualifies for this list. The most memorable moment of his rookie season came when he crashed into an outfield wall, taking away an extra-base hit to temporarily preserve a Mark Buehrle bid for a no-hitter. Rowand played with a sore shoulder afterward and watched his batting average slide from .316 on Sept. 1. He is a promising run producer who shortened his swing working with big league batting coach Gary Ward. Rowand also tightened his strike zone, chasing fewer pitches. He has hit at least 20 homers in each of the last three seasons but is more of a line-drive hitter. Rowand has spent most of his career playing the outfield corners but did a decent job in center for the White Sox. He has a strong arm but doesn't truly fit any of the outfield positions. Rowand runs OK but not as well as a typical center fielder. He also doesn't have quite the home-run power of a corner outfielder. Rowand could spend 2002 as Chicago's regular in left or center, depending on the status of Carlos Lee and Chris Singleton.
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  Ranked Chicago White Sox #8 prospect in 2001
  In another organization, Rowand might be well known by now. But his steady development has been obscured by the meteoric rise of Carlos Lee and Magglio Ordonez. Rowand nevertheless has made an impressive climb, posting all-star seasons in the Carolina and Southern leagues. By leading the Southern League in RBIs in 2000, Rowand added to his reputation as a run producer. He generates power from a short, quick swing and tremendous upper-body strength. He has decent speed and has used his instincts to develop into an above-average baserunner, though he doesn't project as a basestealer. He's a good right fielder with an arm that managers rated the best in the SL. Rowand may feel that he must hit home runs to get attention. His strikeout-walk ratio has gotten worse for two straight years, with his on-base percentage declining to .321 in 2000. He needs to improve his plate discipline. Roward could challenge for a job on the bench but needs a trade to get a shot at regular playing time. The Sox can have him spend the 2001 season in Triple-A, but something has to give.
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  Ranked Chicago White Sox #11 prospect in 1999

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked International League #13 prospect in 2001
  Rowand made a seamless transition to Triple-A and then the big leagues in 2001. He's no longer lost in an organization that includes some of the best young pitching in the game and $5.3 million man Joe Borchard. Rowand hit .292 with flashes of power and speed in his first 58 games with the White Sox. He has a strong arm and could be the center fielder Chicago is looking for, though he spent much of his minor league career in right field. "He has some pop in his bat, and defensively he looks like he can play all three outfield positions," Evers said. "To me, he's more of an alley-type power hitter. But he has good instincts in right and seems to know how to play the game."
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  Ranked Southern League #20 prospect in 2000
  Some managers ranked Rowand among the league's 10 best prospects, and in many years he would have been listed high. In 2000, the athletic right fielder who had a 20-20 season and led the SL in RBIs had to settle for bringing up the rear. Like Larson, Rowand is stuck in an organization that's deep in options at his position. But with his quick bat and solid arm, he should make a place for himself if he can make more contact.
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  Ranked Carolina League #9 prospect in 1999
  Selected by managers as the league's top hitting prospect, Rowand overcame a spring training ankle injury to terrorize opposing pitchers all season. "Offensively, he might be the best player in the league," Garber said. Rowand generates tremendous bat speed and hits for both average and power, but what strikes fear into opposing managers and pitchers is his ability to hit behind in the count.

• December, 1999 Scouting Report
  Some managers ranked Rowand among the league's 10 best prospects, and in many years he would have been listed high. In 2000, the athletic right fielder who had a 20-20 season and led the SL in RBIs had to settle for bringing up the rear. Like Larson, Rowand is stuck in an organization that's deep in options at his position. But with his quick bat and solid arm, he should make a place for himself if he can make more contact.