A record-setting career with the Adrian College baseball team helped Alex Cowart become a household name in Lenawee County and around the region.
Today, Cowart is climbing up the professional ranks and is making quite a name for himself, with hopes that one day he will get the call to the biggest stage of all — the major leagues.
The former Adrian standout is playing for the Shreveport-Bossier Captains of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, a minor league level that is classified between Single-A and Double-A. Since signing with the Captains in May, Cowart has become a key contributor at the plate, on the mound and in the outfield.
"I was able to get into the starting lineup, and I've been doing some pitching so it's going good," Cowart said. "I've been learning a lot on the go, and you have to produce right off the bat here. The Captains gave me a chance, and I've been playing a lot."
His recent performances show that the playing time is validated. During this week's series against Wichita, Cowart went 3-for-6 at the plate with two RBIs. During Tuesday's game, Cowart pitched a scoreless inning in relief with two strikeouts. So far this season, Cowart is batting .307 with 43 hits, 21 RBIs, eight doubles, four triples and three home runs.
He does not have a pitching decision, but has appeared in nine games (8 1/3 innings). Cowart has a 3.24 earned-run average with six strikeouts.
"Alex is a tremendous athlete who I can put anywhere on the field, and he's doing a great job," Captains manager Vince Moore said. "He's swinging the bat well and has come up with big hits in big situations all year. He's been very valuable to our team."
After finishing college, Cowart went to play in the California Winter League, where he batted .378. It was there that scouts began to notice that he was a hard thrower from the outfield and was encouraged to give pitching a try.
"California was a stepping stone from college to (the American Association), and it got me used to the wooden bat," Cowart said. "I pitched in high school and was actually recruited to Adrian as a shortstop and pitcher, but I moved to the outfield. I started off with only a fastball and a slider, but now I've developed a changeup."
Cowart signed his first American Association contract with the Grand Prairie Air Hogs last April. The team had a surplus of outfield, and Cowart was No. 4 on the depth chart. Wanting him to show his potential more than he could with them, the Air Hogs allowed Cowart to move to Shreveport, where he signed May 10. Less than a week later, Cowart made his American Association debut.
He collected his first hit May 22 against Amarillo, finishing 2-for-3 with a double and run scored. The next day, Cowart went 3-for-4 with an RBI in a 12-4 victory at El Paso. His first home run was a solo shot on May 29, ironically against Grand Prairie.
"There's a lot of talented players who've played in Triple-A and the major leagues here, so there was an adjustment," Cowart said. "The wood bat took some getting used to, and the style of play is faster. The pitchers throw a lot harder, and it's not as easy to pick up their off-speed pitches.
"It's also a 100-game season, and you have to go all out. Then you have to figure out how you're going to go all out again the next day."
Cowart's progress has caught the attention of the rest of the league, as he is among the candidates for the American Association's Rookie of the Year honor.
"You hope you can get rookies of his caliber, but they don't come around that often," Moore said. "With his throwing he had to get his mechanics touched up, but Alex was easy to teach and caught on quick. That says a lot about him, and he has my vote for Rookie of the Year."
Those who remember him from Adrian College wouldn't be surprised by his success. Cowart put his name throughout the school record books, currently sitting in the top 10 in all but one offensive category (most sacrifice hits). He holds Adrian career records for batting average (.420), hits (235), RBIs (156), doubles (55), triples (14), stolen bases (57), total bases (375) and runs scored (164). Cowart is also second in home runs (19), slugging percentage (.670), on base percentage (.494), games played (168) and games started (163).
"A lot of his success comes from his work ethic and dedication," Adrian coach Craig Rainey said. "Alex has the desire to play at the next level, and he's made it into the everyday lineup and has produced. He's paid his dues to be successful."
Cowart earned three MIAA batting titles and was twice the league's Most Valuable Player. He was named an All-American during his junior and senior seasons. Cowart helped the Bulldogs to MIAA titles in 2009 and 2010 and three NCAA Division III Mideast Regional appearances. He was part of the Bulldogs' run to the 2008 Division III World Series.
"I developed a good work ethic in college, and I thank Adrian for everything they did for me," Cowart said. "I just glad that I got to continue to play at the next level."
