Micah Owings might play some first base?

[RU Rah Rah]

From cobrabrigade.com:

 

Micah Owings' bat could get a little more play next season, and we're not just talking about pinch-hitting appearances. Owings, who last season made 27 starts out of the Diamondbacks' rotation and posted a 4.30 ERA, could find his way onto the field, perhaps at first base.

"It's potentially, depending on how our roster looks, an option," manager Bob Melvin said Tuesday during a Q&A session with reporters.

Should the team re-sign free-agent first baseman Tony Clark, there would figure to be far fewer opportunities for Owings at the position. But should Clark not return - and should Chad Tracy be slowed in his rehabilitation from knee surgery - the Diamondbacks could turn to Owings in some situations. Owings, a renowned high school slugger and a part-time designated hitter in college, won the Silver Slugger award as the top-hitting pitcher in the National League last season. In 60 at-bats, including six plate appearances as a pinch-hitter, Owings hit .333 with seven doubles, one triple and four home runs.

[strawbossisevil]

Wow, when was the last time a player both pitched and fielded a position on his off days. That would be pretty neat. Plus it would be a super nice luxury for the D-backs by giving them an extra bench spot.

[Harold Hutchison]

And it won't hurt his arm much, either. First basemen don't have to throw much.

[pogokat]

saw him play in college...he was just as much a prospect as a hitter as a pitcher...he's a neat player...like kieschnick, but not sucky

[bball123h2]

1 day on the mound, 4 in the field. Guess he'll need to get his throwing in before the game and not during. Wonder if this will get him out of charting....

[brettac1]

That'd be awesome if it happened, but I don't really count on it.

 

I wanted the Brewers to draft him as a hitter back then, I'm glad he's going to get to play a position a little.

[Tbadder]

He'd be a legend. Awesome. Everyone cross your fingers. I never thought I'd live to see it.

[DHonks]

wasn't Lance Niekro supposedly finally giving up on being a full-time hitter and focusing on the knuckler? I remember seeing him in the AFL, and the guys he was warming up with couldn't catch his throws, and he was just goofing around. I'd love to have him as a pitcher and bench-hitter with pop

[fondybrewfan]

So what happens if he develops into a stud at both 1b and SP? Can you imagine the contract? Youd be getting a stud 1b with tremendous power and an awesome pitcher? If he develops that could be one hell of a bidding war.

 

I want to see a pitcher hitting cleanup.

[TooLiveBrew]

Put him in the AL & revolutionize the DH position. A guy can dream.

[JoeHova]

Interesting. I think it's a good idea if he actually is a good hitter and didn't just have a fluke year like pitchers sometimes have. He has an .891 minor league OPS, but only in 67 ABs. At the very least, he should be able to DH a few times during interleague.

 

As for revolutionizing the DH position, he wouldn't. Allowing a DH to come in and play the field costs you the DH for the rest of the game. Also, allowing a pitcher to hit or a position player to pitch also costs you the DH, which is why Ichiro and his 95 MPH fastball haven't appeared in an MLB game (he was a star pitcher in high school and pitched in a couple games (including an all-star game) in Japan). The DH is a very restricted position compared to the other positions.

[ILuvDaBush]

Yeah, Big Papi always looks quite "restricted" in his uniform.

[TooLiveBrew]

As for revolutionizing the DH position, he wouldn't. Allowing a DH to come in and play the field costs you the DH for the rest of the game.

 

I meant he'd pitch every 5th day, & DH the others.