This guy deserves the opportunity to see what he can do with 250+ ABs. GMs now a days don't want to jeopardize a young pitcher's arm and choose to shy away from the idea of fielding a pitcher. I would agree with this philosophy with and ace of a staff or a potential ace of a staff. But, to be realistic in all lilkelyhood M. Owings is gonna have a very average career as a SP or reliever. So, why not maximize his talent/potential and see what he can do with the bat. Rick Ankiel's story should open GMs eyes.

First of all the days he is pitching he should bat no lower than 7th in the lineup. Everyday players know what he can do with the bat and won't be embarressed batting behind him. When he is replaced on the mound he should stay in the batting lineup as a double switch if he is having a good day at the plate. I don't know how much of a liability he is on the field and can only imagine him playing LF or 1B. I don't see the DBacks sitting Byrnes or Jackson so that is a problem.

If a position could be found for him I would have him on the field 2 days after a start and the following day (the two middle days in between starts). This could give him up to 300 ABs for the season if he could stay off the DL. He could fill a role similiar to what Tony Clark did the past couple of seasons. Being fairly modest I'll project his stats this season if he were to see about 300 ABs :

.283/.343/.520

Once again that is a modest prediction. That is projecting only 15 2Bs and 11 HRs over 300 ABs. He will probably strike out around 75 times in 300 ABs but, let's see if anyone off the DBacks bench gets close to the #s.