Over his last two starts, this has been the Michael Bowden that the Boston Red Sox have come to know and love … the Michael Bowden that earlier this season dominated International League batters and the pitcher Baseball America rated the No. 2 prospect in the organization.
And to a large extent it’s because of a 13-day layoff.
In his two starts since returning to the mound, Bowden:
- Pitched five hitless, scoreless innings on July 19 against Indianapolis and received a no-decision.
- Pitched seven innings of four-hit, two-run ball on July 24 against Columbus (replete with zero walks and five strikeouts) only to come out on the short end of a 3-1 score.
“In this organization with these young pitchers we always pick a time of the year to shut them down,” said Pawtucket Red Sox manager Ron Johnson. “We’ve done this for several years.
“They like to pick a time with these young guys and I think it works great. He was probably going through his roughest time just before we gave him a break. Since he’s come back, his two starts have been very good. (Minor league pitching coordinator) Ralph Truel and the other guys in the organization know what they’re doing. I’ve seen it happen for years here and things work out.”
Bowden, admittedly, benefited greatly from the rest.
“You know what … I do feel stronger,” said Bowden. “But I also worked on a few things in my delivery and I’m getting a little more power out of my delivery. I’m staying over the rubber and it feels like I’m generating a little bit more on my fastball and getting a downward angle.
“Part of the reason why I’m successful is because of that angle. I kind of lost it for a while. But I’m starting to get back into my mechanics and I feel good.”
Bowden’s game against Columbus underscored how the time off has proven to be a positive.
Not only did he throw 55 of 80 pitches for strikes but he also allowed no more than three hard-hit balls.
One was a first-inning double by Jordan Brown and another was a solo homer by Matt LaPorta into the left-field berm in the fourth.
Brown also sliced an off-field ball that just squeezed inside the left field foul pole and dropped into the Pawtucket bullpen for a classic McCoy Stadium el-cheapo home run.
Altogether, Bowden faced only 24 batters — three over the minimum.
“Mike did a real nice job … he was impressive,” said Johnson. “He was pitch efficient. We’ll take that any day of the week. He definitely pitched well enough to win.”
How true. But the PawSox have been in a hitting funk since July 3 — losing 15 of their last 18 games and falling to the bottom in I.L. hitting.
Bowden, for his part, has managed to stuff frustration in his locker.
“That’s baseball,” said Bowden. “That happens. We’re in a funk and it’s taking longer than we expected to get out of it. But I think all of our pitchers understand that it’s baseball.
“We’re out there doing our jobs. The runs are going to come. That’s part of baseball and all we can do is our job.”
Good point.
See you in September, Michael. Pack all your stuff.
Good writing, Mike.
Always good to know what’s happening in the minors. I like Bowden. And I hope to read about other prospects in the near future. I’m very excited about Kelly, Reddick, Tazawa, Westmoreland, Che-Hsuan-Lin, Lavarnway and Exposito.
I’d like to add 3 prospects to your list M.A.G: Rizzo (high OBP and the ONLY player from those who have been promoted to Salem to have immediatly adjusted to more advanced pitching), Kalish and Hagadone.
But let me ask you: you’re not excited about Lars anymore? I thought he was the only untouchable prospect in your book?
Good additions, Radiohix. Even if I would like to see Rizzo develop more power, and I’m a little skeptic about Kalish. But I recongnize they are promising players.
I love Lars. In fact, I still think he is the best hitter in the farms. But I admit the idea of acquiring Adrian Gonzalez has being growing in my mind. A-Gon is a 27 year old player, with an elite bat an a golden glove. The perfect first baseman.
And If we acquire A-Gon, then there is no place to put Lars anymore. In that case, we have to use him to land A-Gon himself or for upgrading another position.
But, if Boston don’t get A-Gon, or another similar young super-star corner infielder, then Anderson is still untouchable for me. Even for V-Mart I want to keep Lars. I’m ready to offer the Indians Buchholz an some more for Martinez, but not Lars.
And when I mentioned those names, I was triying to mention those players who have shown, in my opinion, more progress this year. This kids are making strides, and they have being a revelation for me. Reddick, for example was a very promising player, and I always liked him, but his new plate discipline has put him in a whole new level.
But as much as I like Lars, I have to admit he has had some problems this season. I have no doubts about his talent, but I admit he is not having a particularly “exciting” year.