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BILLY NOWLIN
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CORNER OUTFIELDER
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Born: December 16, 1986 Height: 6′ 1″ Weight: 210 Bats: Right Throws: Right Drafted: 25th round, 763rd overall, 2008 by the Detroit Tigers How Acquired: Signed as minor league free agent, 2011 College: Golden West College (CA) Agent: N/A |
WTM’S PIRATE PLAYER PROFILES |
| Nowlin is a bat-only corner player who was drafted by the Tigers after Greg Smith left Detroit to become the Pirates’ scouting director. He played both first and left in the Tigers’ system, but spent about half his time as a DH. He doesn’t appear to have any speed. The Pirates signed him after Detroit cut him loose at the beginning of July 2011.
2008-09: After struggling in short season ball, as college and JC hitters often due in their introduction to wood bats, Nowlin had a strong season in low A in 2009, hitting for average and power, with decent plate discipline. His overall line was 311/390/483. Had huge platoon split, slugging over 200 points higher against LHPs than RHPs. He didn’t play the field much and didn’t get an in-season promotion, both probably indications that Detroit considered him an organizational player. 2010: Power dropped off markedly in high A. Nevertheless, spent last third of season in AA, hitting for solid power but fanning forty times while walking only three. 2011: For some reason, was demoted all the way back to low A. Didn’t hit there, with 243/324/388 line, and spent some time on the DL. The Pirates initially assigned Nowlin to State College, but he should ultimately join Altoona or Bradenton, or possibly West Virginia. They’ve had a number of promotions at the upper levels, many due to injuries, and could be stocking up on depth. |
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STATS
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| Baseball Reference–Minors Fangraphs MiLB.com |
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CONTRACT INFORMATION
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| 2011: Minor League Contract |
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PLAYER INFORMATION
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| Signing Bonus: N/A MiLB Debut: 2008 MLB Debut: N/A MiLB FA Eligible: 2014 MLB FA Eligible: N/A Rule 5 Eligible: Eligible Added to 40-Man: N/A Options Remaining: 3 MLB Service Time: 0.000 |
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TRANSACTIONS
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| June 6, 2008: Drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 25th round, 763rd overall. July 1, 2011: Released by the Detroit Tigers. July 4, 2011: Signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates as a minor league free agent. |