Athletics’ Cooper Bowman Adds Versatility In AFL
A lifelong infielder, Cooper Bowman has taken on a new challenge in the Arizona Fall League:learning the outfield.
The Athletics’ plan is to have the 23-year-old play both second base and outfield as he develops into a multi-position player.
“Second is his natural position,” A’s farm director Ed Sprague said. “He sees what’s in front of him, and he wants to get to the big leagues.”
What is in front of him is Zack Gelof, Oakland’s standout rookie second baseman. The A’s believe Bowman could turn into an effective offensive player, so versatility will be his avenue to MLB.
“He’s very quick-twitched, and he can run,” Sprague said of the 6-foot righthanded hitter. “He’s similar to Gelof (in that) they’re both super athletic guys.”
The Yankees drafted Bowman out of Louisville in the fourth round in 2021, then traded him to the A’s last year as part of the Frankie Montas deal.
The Yankees worked on getting Bowman to hit more balls in the air to try and capitalize on his power potential. The A’s want him to be more of an on-base guy, hitting line drives.
“When we got him, there was too much swing-and-miss,” Sprague said. “Now we’re getting back to being what he was as a college player.”
This season Bowman hit .262/.360/.431 with eight home runs and 38 stolen bases in 72 games spent primarily at Double-A Midland.
Bowman’s top tool is speed.
“He has a knack for stealing bases,” Midland manager Bobby Crosby said. “He has a knack for reading pitchers. When he gets on first, it’s almost a triple. He has power, and he wants to use that power. I want him simply to get on base.”
Crosby emphasizes another of Bowman’s attributes.
“He’s a team guy,” Crosby said. “He’s a winner, and he wants to find ways to help the team.”
A’s ACORNS
— Catcher Kyle McCann made major strides forward this year. “His catching has really improved, as has his command of the game and his leadership presence,” Sprague said. “I think he’s turned himself into an attractive option behind the plate.”
— Righthander Joey Estes shot through the system this year, starting in Double-A and moving to Triple-A, then finishing with two starts in the majors. “He’s a bulldog—not afraid of anything,” Sprague said. Estes has put himself into a position to contend for a starting job next spring.
