Photo by Jordan Megenhardt

By Greg Dillard

From the start of the 2011 season, Collin Cowgill lit up Pacific Coast League pitching, emerging as an offensive force in the Reno lineup.

Cowgill’s standout season has earned him the opportunity to play at the Major League level. The D-backs purchased his contract from Triple-A on Tuesday, and he was penciled in manager Kirk Gibson’s starting lineup batting eighth as the  left fielder.

Prior to earning his promotion, the Lexington, Ky., native was batting .354 with 13 homers, 95 runs and 70 RBI. On June 7 vs. Salt Lake, Cowgill also etched his name in the Aces’ history book by becoming just the second member of the franchise to hit for the cycle. He then strung together an impressive 17-game hitting streak to set a new team record.

During the streak, he batted a red-hot .514 from May 23 to June 9. Cowgill also claimed PCL Player of the Week honors twice this season for his stellar play from April 25-May 1 and June 6 -12.

The D-backs selected Cowgill in the fifth round of the 2008 First-Year Player Draft. He starred on the University of Kentucky baseball team, and in 2006, owned a .298 batting average while smacking 16 home runs and driving in 61 runs.

Since the draft, he’s hit a combined .299 with 83 doubles and 47 home runs in parts of four Minor League seasons. Last season, he batted .285 while at Double-A Mobile. After an impressive Spring Training, 2011 has undoubtedly been a breakout season for the 25-year-old outfielder.