Josh Stowers

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked New York Yankees #30 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: Stowers was the Mariners' second-round pick in 2018 after showing off a combination of speed and power for three seasons with the Cardinals. He finished his first season as a pro ranked No. 12 among the short-season Northwest League's Top 20 prospects. Stowers was shipped to the Yankees before the 2019 season in the three-way deal that sent righthander Sonny Gray to the Reds and then- Cincinnati prospect Shed Long to the Mariners. He made his Yankees debut with low Class A Charleston and showed scouts a tool package befitting a fourth outfielder.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Stowers' hit tool and power are both fringe-average and he looks particularly vulnerable on quality offspeed pitches. He struggled mightily in the Arizona Fall League, where he struck out 27 times in 61 at-bats. He needs to improve his reads and routes in center field in order to help his plus speed become better utilized. He has a below-average throwing arm, which would likely limit him to left field if he had to move off of center field.
  
  THE FUTURE: High Class A Tampa is the next step for Stowers, who will begin the season as a 23-year-old.
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  Ranked New York Yankees #12 prospect in 2019
  Track Record: Stowers was one of the top hitters for the storied Louisville program in his final two college seasons. He compiled a .929 OPS in his sophomore year with the Cardinals followed by an even better 1.036 as a junior. The Mariners grabbed Stowers with a second-round pick in 2018, and he began his pro career at short-season Everett. He ranked second in the Northwest League with 37 walks and fourth with 20 stolen bases.
  
  Scouting Report: The biggest question Stowers faces is whether he can stay in center field, because he needs to improve his reads and jumps. His thicker frame, which draws comparisons with former big leaguer Marlon Byrd, is not a prototypical center fielder's body, but his plus speed is enough for the position if he makes the rest of the necessary improvements. Otherwise, a below-average arm would limit him to left field. Stowers' bat will likely carry him. He has a plus hit tool, and his sharp batting eye is expected to help him at higher levels when pitchers are around the zone more. With average power, Stowers projects to be able to hit 15-20 home runs per year.
  
  The Future: Stowers will get his first taste of full-season ball after spring training with a likely assignment to low Class A West Virginia in 2019.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #124 prospect in 2018 draft
  Buried on a star-studded Louisville roster his first two years, Stowers flashed hints of greatness batting in the bottom of the Cardinals order his sophomore season, hitting .364 in the College World Series en route to a more prominent role this spring. Louisville's best remaining position player, Stowers has batted in the top of the order and started in center field all season, slashing .311/.451/.483 with five home runs and 31 stolen bases in 37 attempts. The 6-foot, 205-pound righthanded hitter marries a plus hit tool with above-average speed and at least average power. Early in the season, Stowers struggled with a more pull-heavy, uppercut swing, but his numbers rebounded as he switched back to a more up-the-middle approach. While an everyday center fielder for Louisville, Stowers profiles as more of a left fielder in pro ball with a below-average arm. He doesn't have one key carrying tool, but the sum of his parts gives him upside.
• Ranked #490 prospect in 2015 draft
  Considered the top high school position player in the Chicagoland area, Stowers has followed the lead of many recent prospects from the area in committing to Louisville. He's toolsy with a projectable 6-foot-1, 190 pound frame and plus speed, turning in 6.6-second 60-yard times. He's a potential center fielder with a bit more polish and has a solid-average arm as well. Stowers has decent swing mechanics but little experience against bigger velocity, which he rarely saw this spring. Scouts have to project a lot on his bat, which makes it likely he'll honor his Louisville commitment.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Northwest League #12 prospect in 2018
  In his junior season at Louisville, Stowers broke out. He hit for career bests in nearly every offensive category while maintaining the superb batting eye that helped him strike out just 72 times in three seasons with the Cardinals. That was enough for the Mariners, who took him in the second round and signed him for $1.1 million. Stowers is built a bit thicker than your typical center fielder, and evaluators aren't sure he'll be able to stay at the position. To do so, he'll need to refine his reads, jumps and anticipation to get the most out of his plus speed. If he has to slide over to a corner eventually, his below-average arm will likely limit him to left field. In a corner, the question will come down to his average power. His sharp batting eye should allow him to amplify his power as he goes up the ladder and pitchers are around the zone more often.

• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Stowers was the Mariners' second-round pick in 2018 after showing off a combination of speed and power for three seasons with the Cardinals. He finished his first season as a pro ranked No. 12 among the short-season Northwest League's Top 20 prospects. Stowers was shipped to the Yankees before the 2019 season in the three-way deal that sent righthander Sonny Gray to the Reds and then- Cincinnati prospect Shed Long to the Mariners. He made his Yankees debut with low Class A Charleston and showed scouts a tool package befitting a fourth outfielder.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Stowers' hit tool and power are both fringe-average and he looks particularly vulnerable on quality offspeed pitches. He struggled mightily in the Arizona Fall League, where he struck out 27 times in 61 at-bats. He needs to improve his reads and routes in center field in order to help his plus speed become better utilized. He has a below-average throwing arm, which would likely limit him to left field if he had to move off of center field.
  
  THE FUTURE: High Class A Tampa is the next step for Stowers, who will begin the season as a 23-year-old.
• July, 2018 Scouting Report
  Selected by Seattle in the second round after a three-year college career at Louisville, Stowers has started strong at short-season Everett. He’s extremely athletic and is an above-average runner with top-of-the order skills. Stowers is playing his natural center field position to start his pro career and has plus instincts there. While his arm is no more than a fringe tool, the Mariners believe that Stowers’ instincts and athleticism will allow him to stay in the middle of the outfield.