Know Your Jays #3: Shawn Bowman

The Jays' latest signing--picked up off waivers from the Mets and sent to Las Vegas yesterday--might at first glance seem to be just another token Canadian with a wide batting stance.

The evidence is there--he was an easy pickup, as nobody had claimed him after the Mets designated him for assignment, another day and they'd have been able to outright him to a minor league team or (more likely) release him.

He's never made even AAA before, and at age 25, is running out of time in which he'll likely improve his game.

But despite all that, something about this pickup just feels good. Like it's more than this decade's version of Howie Clark getting his first shot.

Bowman was born in New Westminster, BC, and was a 12th-round draft pick by the Mets in 2002. The third baseman struggled mightily in both low-A and rookie ball. Somehow, he cracked the roster of A-level Capital City (no word on if Dancing Homer was in attendance), and displayed some strong power in 2004, hitting 18 homers.

Back problems came into the picture in 2005, and Bowman managed only 38 games between 2006 and 2007 between spells on the injured list. He came back late in 2008, and started tearing up the high-A Florida State League--hitting .340 over 26 games and earning a promotion to AA, where he homered in his first game.

2009 was Bowman's first full year in AA, and he responded with decent numbers: .294 with a .346 on-base percentage, his highest ever as he had learned how to take a walk. The drawback was that his power seemed to be gone, he hit only nine homers in nearly 400 at bats.

Despite a 3-for-10 spring, the Mets gave up on Shawn Bowman, which is where are story loops back to the beginning as the Jays took a chance on him. He's not going to be a superstar, but for an emergency name in case of an injury to Toronto starter Edwin Encarnacion, Bowman is worth a look.

In Las Vegas, Bowman will likely be the starting third baseman--provided his bat is up to the task--displacing Christian Colonel, in his first year with the Jays organization.