Spotlight on Michael Bowden
Posted on July 10, 2008
Filed Under Prospects | 2 Comments
Michael Bowden was #3 on my pre-season list of Red Sox pitching prospects (link) and number 94 on Baseball America’s ‘Top 100 MLB Prospects’ list for 2008 (link). So far this season he’s done nothing but put together a good case to increase his ranking on both lists.
Bowden started out his season in Double-A Portland and has been lighting things up so far. His 2.33 ERA was enough to get him elected to the Eastern League All-Star team. The earned-run-average is nice but the numbers get better as you look at them a bit closer.
19 starts, 104.1 IP, .192 BAA, 101 K, 24 BB
Those numbers equal out to an amazing 4.21 K/BB ratio. Not bad for a 21 yr old kid, huh?
The only thing that stands out is his stats with men on base: 6.49 ERA, 11 BB in 34.2 IP compared to 0.26 ERA, 13BB in 69.2 IP with the bases empty. It’s natural for a pitchers numbers with runners on base to inflate a bit but he has almost 2 times as many walks per inning when this happens. This most likely shows either a lack of control when pitching from the stretch or just a general nervousness. These are both things that can improve with time.
Bowden will more than likely be promoted to Triple-A Pawtucket before the year is over and could even see a call-up with the Red Sox after the All-Star break. He looks ready to get a taste of big league action.
Link: Michael Bowden’s 2008 Statistics
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2 Responses to “Spotlight on Michael Bowden”
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The Sox have such a great farm system right now they should be in the mix for the next decade.
Great site, I added you to my blogroll
http://www.fenwaywest.com
Yeah, it’s definitely a good time to be a baseball fan. I love watching all these new kids come up and make such a quick impact. I didn’t even think we’d see Justin Masterson until the end of this year or maybe next year. Boy was I wrong.
Thanks. I’ve added you to mine as well.