Minor League Leaders: Mike Bowden

by wrigleyrocker12 on May 17, 2008 9:54 AM EDT Comment 7 comments

Today I thought I'd do a report on someone I actually have a connection with. He pitched for Wabounsie Valley High School, which is in the same conference as my local high school. He pitched against them and pitched a no-hitter, striking out 19 of the 21 outs made. He is currently in the Boston Red Sox farm system, on the AA Portland Seadogs, and he's pretty much up near the lead for every pitching category. He's tied in third with 3 wins, second in whip with a 1.00 whip, .44 ERA points behind first with a 2.57 ERA, and fifth in strikeouts with 41 in 42 innings, thats impressive. But the question is where does he fit in the rotation? At 21, he's still got some time to mature. With Clay Bucholz showing that he's not quite ready yet and Curt Schilling on the DL, the BoSox might give him a chance.

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Bowden

Bowden is right where he needs to be. At 21, the primary concern for the Red Sox is for him to develop his fastball command, continue to develop mechanical consistency, and to stay healthy while throwing a reasonable amount of innings. Bowden has been remarkably durable for a young pitcher thus far in his minor league career, and the Sox figure to work hard to see that continue.
I believe he has a shot to hit the AAA roster by the end of the year, but I’d be suprised to see him in the majors at any point in 2008. With Colon due to make his season debut in the majors by June 1st, and Schilling (hopefully) another month or so behind that, Bowden has at least those 2, possibly Masterson, and even a guy like Zink (throwing well at AAA) ahead of him for a spot start in the bigs or a 3-4 week stay. If he continues to throw strikes, and keeps his k rate up, he’ll be in AAA by August, with an eye towards a possible inclusion on the major league roster by mid 2009 at the earliest.
The Red Sox are already committed to having Dice K, Beckett, Lester and Buchholz in their rotation, so the opportunities aren’t plentiful for a young starter in their system unless everything goes perfectly. So far with Bowden, they have to like what they see…
JAS

by jasvlm on May 17, 2008 10:43 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Bowden dominated at Lancaster last year and scuffled a bit at Portland. However word is he appeared a little more in shape this year – not that he was ever out of shape.

Here is the scouting report on him from www.soxprospects.com

Bowden is a big righty starter with a top-of-the-rotation ceiling, but likely projects as a solid third starter at the major league level. He is an advanced pitcher for his age, but still has some room for improvement. He has an arsenal of three pitches that could be big-league caliber: a 93-94 mph four-seam fastball which tops out around 95 mph, a very good 12-6 hard breaking curve, and a developing circle changeup with plus potential. His main pitch, the four-seamer, has a late, heavy sinking movement, and he generally keeps it down in the zone. Also, Bowden has a two-seamer that is a few mph off of his four-seamer with a bit more movement. His changeup sits in the low 80s, about 10 mph off of his fastball, and is very deceptive, with action moving away from lefties. His mid-70s curve is pretty sharp and he keeps hitters at bay with it. However, he sometimes telegraphs his curve on occasion. Secondary stuff is really coming along in 2008. Overall, Bowden has an excellent command of the zone. One aspect that should come with more experience is improved pitchability against advanced hitters. Delivery is somewhat unconventional, almost 3/4 style, with a leaning motion while dropping his head a bit – but he’s able to maintain it throughout his outings, so the Sox won’t mess with it. Bowden is said to be a workaholic and just loves to pitch – another player who just lives and dies for baseball. Very athletic.

I saw him pitch last year at futures at fenway where he had some trouble with control, however he was just 20 at the time pitching in AA. It wasn’t long ago where he and Buchholz were neck and neck, and I expect Bowden to make an impact in Boston before this year ends.

by tdchrisdavis on May 17, 2008 11:13 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

dont trust those numbers

{a 93-94 mph four-seam fastball which tops out around 95 mph}

Never have I heard of a pitcher whose fastball sits 1 mph below his peak velocity. I’m thinking he really sits around 90-91 with a handful of 93-94 pitches per game.

quick check -> sox prospects is your report of 94-95
Sickels -> 88-92
Sons of Sam Horn -> low 90’s
Concord Monitor -> low 90’s

so I highly doubt the 93-94 velocity

by pedrophile on May 18, 2008 5:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bowden

I always liked Bowden. More than Buchholz, too, but that looks iffy to say the least for now.

I wasn’t alone – 31/40 people polled here in the summer of 2006 took Bowden too.

http://www.minorleagueball.com/2006/8/22/18391/2075

by rdf8585 on May 17, 2008 9:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Bowden Bait

I like Bowden, but with Bucholtz, Lester, and now Masterson appearing ready to claim rotatation spots, Bowden might be someone to include in a package for a good young catcher, since that’s the one thing the Red Sox don’t really have in their system. Granted, not a lot of those to go around, but I wonder if the Rangers, who are desparate for pitching, might be talked out of Taylor Teagarden or Jarrod Saltalamachia. Also, just for kicks, check out the numbers for Max Ramirez in AA Texas League, also a catcher in the Rangers system. He’s out of his mind right now, hitting over .350 with an OPS over 1.000. Scouts aren’t sure he’ll stick as a catcher though.

by sggut95 on May 18, 2008 2:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

agreed

bowden is good trade bait right now….. i think if the rangers were to trade anyone it would be laird….. which would make a great backup until tek decides to leave the game.

"If you were a hot dog, would you eat yourself?"

by Trobone on May 18, 2008 4:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Laird

To me, Laird really isn’t much more than a backup, and I can’t see the Red Sox trading a high-ceiling guy like Bowden for a backup. Fact is, the Rangers just don’t have room for all their catching prospects, so I think it would be possible to pry one of them away. They’re real high on Teagarden, but I watched Saltalamachia catch the other day, and he looked pretty comfortable back there, and even threw a perfect strike, rifle action, to second base to nail a base stealer. The Rangers also have a good first base prospect in Chris Davis, whose power numbers are off the charts, so I think they’d be reluctant to move Salty to first long-term if he can be even adequate behind the plate. I think the Sox could get Teagarden for a package of Bowden, Coco Crisp, and a second tier pitcher.

by sggut95 on May 19, 2008 3:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs