Mailbag: Loewen at the bat?

Do the Orioles still expect former first-round pick Adam Loewen to become a solid starter? Adam often has control problems when he is not injured. -- Kasey T., Manchester, TN Loewen virtually retired as a pitcher last week, citing the elbow ailments that have plagued him for the last two seasons and the prospect of an 18-month stint on the sidelines if he went through another operation. Now, Loewen's chance of a big league career is based on his bat, which also impressed professional scouts before he was drafted. The southpaw has several obstacles standing in between him and his dream, the biggest one revolving around letting his batting skills atrophy for the last five years. Loewen hit .353 in his lone season at Chipola Junior College, but he only hit one home run that season, and hasn't had a chance to test his skills... [read full story]