Fowler, 24, tore up AA Tulsa in 2008 with a .335 BA, .431 OBP, 9 HR and 64 RBI. He was recalled to the big club in September of '08, and spent his first full season in the majors in 2009. His rookie campaign was more than respectable, hitting .266 with 4 HR, 73 runs scored and 34 RBI. He didn't display home run pop, but used the gaps well finishing with 29 doubles and 10 triples. Despite 116 K, he showed good patience and plate discipline, drawing 67 walks. His 'easy' speed and long strides resulted in 27 bases swiped. 

The opening stanza of 2010 has not been as kind to Fowler. Pitchers have made their adjustments, and he has yet to make the appropriate acclimations. In 118 official plate appearances, he's batting .237 with 1 HR and only 3 RBI. He has struggled significantly with runners in scoring position, coming up with only 4 hits in 23 AB (.174). He's doesn't appear to be pressing, still having drawn 20 base on balls. In fact, he might be too patient. He's seen 567 pitches, and has faced an 0-2 count in 31 of his plate appearances (3 hits). He has 6 hits in 14 AB when putting the first ball in play. Perhaps a more aggressive approach would be beneficial. Fowler, a switch hitter, has had a rough go from the left side, hitting just .185 in 85 AB with 23 K. He's stolen 5 bases and been caught 3 times. 

Maybin, 23, was the 10th overall selection by the Tigers in the 2005 amateur draft. He got a taste of major league action as a 20 year old in 2007, where he struck out 21 times in 49 at bats. Despite his struggles, he was still considered a top 10 prospect in MLB, and was the cornerstone piece in the Miguel Cabrera trade. He spent 82 games in AAA New Orleans before getting the call in 2009. In 176 major league at bats in '09, Maybin hit .250 with 4 HR, 13 RBI and struck out 51 times. He showed flashes, but all in all seemed "lost" at the dish. 

2010 has been a similar story for Maybin. There are times when he gets overly pull conscious, opens up too early and flails at the ball. When he waits back and uses the whole field, which he's more than capable of doing, he looks like a completely different hitter. In 117 plate appearances he's batting .250 with 1 HR and 8 RBI. 25 of his 30 hits have been singles. Like Fowler, he's too patient early on in counts for a hitter with suspect pitch recognition. He's struck out 39 times, and after falling behind in the count 0-2, he's 2 for 27. He's seen 539 pitches. If he went up to the plate with a plan of attack, he'd take more full, assertive cuts rather than tentative, staying alive swings. 

Both Fowler and Maybin are still trying to find their identities at the highest level. Time is on their side. As they gain more experience, the future looks quite bright.At 6’4 and 6’3 respectively, you’d think both can still grow into power. Neither has shown it to this stage.

Other scuffling young OF's: 

Chris Coghlan, LF Marlins- .208, 1 HR, 7 RBI. Coghlan, last year's NL Rookie of the Year, has just two extra base hits in 125 at bats. His K:BB ratio of 31:10 is not pretty.  He's just 5 for 26 (.192) with RISP.

Adam Jones, CF Orioles- .245, 3 HR, 9 RBI. An All-Star in 2009, Jones has really felt the hurt of Brian Robert's absence in the lineup. 28 of his 38 hits have been singles, including 9 of the infield variey. He's had 1 successful stolen base attempt in 4 tries. After hitting .311 with RISP in '09, he currently sits at .208.