Ben Bowden

Benjamin Douglas Bowden

• Bats Left, Throws Left
• Height 6' 4", Weight 235 lb.
• School Vanderbilt University
• High School Lynn English High School
• Debut April 2, 2021

• Born October 21, 1994 in Lynn, MA USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Pitcher Ben Bowden went to Vanderbilt University from 2014 to 2016, at a time when it acquired a reputation as a veritable pitching factory. He was on the team which reached the finals of the College World Series in back-to-back seasons in 2014 and 2015, winning the title the first year and finishing as runner-ups the second year. He was largely a relief pitcher for the Commodores. He was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the 2nd round of the 2016 amateur draft.

Bowden began his professional career in 2016 with the Asheville Tourists of the South Atlantic League, , going 0-1, 3.04 in 26 games, all in relief. However, he then missed all of 2017, not because of arm issues but due to a bulging disc in his back. Until then he was presumed to be on a very fast track to the majors, but the setback meant that he was back at Asheville at the start of 2018, before earning a promotion to the Lancaster JetHawks of the California League after 15 games. Combined, he went 7-2, 3.98 in 49 games with 78 strikeouts in 52 innings. In 2019, he was used as a closer and ended up saving an incredible 20 games in just 26 appearances for the Hartford Yard Goats of the Eastern League, with an ERA of 1.05. He was named to the National League team for the 2019 Futures Game, but, uncharacteristically, blew the save opportunity. He was then promoted to the AAA Albuquerque Isotopes, but the second half of his season was not good at all, as he went 1-3, 5.88 in 22 games in the Pacific Coast League, with just 1 save. That likely cost him the chance at a September call-up. He did strike out 79 batters in 59 2/3 innings, and kept up a solid strikeout rate even after his promotion.

Related Sites

• Ben Bowden on mlb.com
• BR Minors page