Drafted in the 17th round (517th overall) by the Los Angeles Angels in 2013.
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As a four-year starter at Baylor, Towey was playing below his experience level in his debut at Rookielevel Orem in 2013, when he led the Pioneer League with a phenomenal .492 on-base percentage. The Angels jumped the lefthanded hitter two levels to high Class A Inland Empire in 2014 and Towey followed with a solid season there. He possesses an excellent batting eye, but that selectivity contributed to his high strikeout total (137) because he needs to not take so many called third strikes. He's more of a gap-top-gap hitter, though he maximizes his average raw power in games. A tick below-average runner who is aggressive on the bases, Towey saw time behind the plate during spring training in 2014, but the Angels didn't see the development necessary for the experiment to continue. He's an average defender at third base and is working hard to quicken his feet. He also can handle a corner outfield position with his above-average arm strength. Scouts see a fringy bat with some position versatility, which may allow Towey to get big league time in a multi-positional role. He moves to Double-A Arkansas in 2015.
A four-year starter at Baylor, Towey was a solid college player, hitting .287 with 17 homers while striking out more than he walked and earning first-team all-Big 12 Conference honors as a senior. Facing younger, less experienced pitchers in his pro debut at Rookie-level Orem, Towey was the toughest out in the Pioneer League, leading domestic professional leagues in on-base percentage (.492). The son of an ex-pro pitcher who also coached him in high school, Towey uses a gap-to-gap approach from the left side that should allow him to continue to hit for average as he climbs the ladder. The Angels are interested to see how Towey looks behind the plate, and will experiment with him catching in 2014. His arm should be at least adequate, with a short, clean stroke and good hands. He has limited range at third base and iffy hands. He made 17 errors in 53 games for an ugly .899 fielding percentage. He's also played left field, but he's a below-average runner. Towey's bat profiles much better if he can handle catching. Offensively, he could be ready for high Class A Inland Empire, but if he's catching, he'll move more slowly.
Best Tools List
Rated Best Strike-Zone Discipline in the Los Angeles Angels in 2014
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