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Former Angels GM Jerry Dipoto, and now Mariners GM, is doing it again. Acquiring previously rostered players on his teams! This time, it’s utility infielder Kaleb Cowart going to the Mariners in a waiver wire claim.
#Mariners claim INF/RHP Kaleb Cowart off waivers from Los Angeles-AL. Seattle's 40-man roster is now at 36 players.
— MarinersPR (@MarinersPR) December 10, 2018
Read: https://t.co/JCE7T69wdK pic.twitter.com/jFXikzc2dZ
Although Cowart was nearly drafted as a pitcher coming out of high school, he is not the hitter-pitcher combo that the Mariners were targeting, but alas, here we are. The Mariners have an interesting plan with him, but it’s also interesting that he will take up a 40-man roster spot while learning how to pitch again.
The Mariners say that they plan to try Kaleb Cowart as a two-way player, as he was announced as both an infielder and a pitcher.
— Rhett Bollinger (@RhettBollinger) December 10, 2018
Cowart, 26, was a former top prospect in a once-barren Angels system. Drafted in 2010 and debuting five years later, he has put up abysmal numbers at the plate but shined in the field with his versatility, playing five positions on the field in the big leagues: first base, second base, third base, shortstop, and left field. That versatility, unfortunately, has not overcome his woes at the plate, slashing .177/.241/.293 across his MLB career for a measly 46 wRC+, on a percentage scale where 100 is average and higher is better.
We wish the best of luck to Kaleb Cowart, our Bovine Picasso.