The San Diego Padres are searching for ways to jumpstart the offense. Today, they brought up one of the top hitters at their Triple-A affiliate, the El Paso Chihuahuas, in Jase Bowen. In the corresponding move, the Padres sent Ramon Laureano to the injured list with hip inflammation.
Pirates drafted Bowen in 2019
The Pittsburgh Pirates originally drafted Bowen in the 11th round of the 2019 Major League Baseball Draft. He was a two-sport star (baseball and football) and committed to play both for Michigan
State. However, Bowen elected to take the Pirates’ high bonus offer and begin his professional baseball career.
He has 2,345 minor league at-bats with 86 HR, but Bowen has only a 7.5% walk rate and a high 23.6% strikeout rate. Bowen chose to leave the Pirates organization and signed a minor league deal with the Friars this winter. He was invited to major league camp during Spring Training, and his performance in Cactus League games put him on the front office’s radar for a possible in-season major league call-up.
Bowen was a key contributor in the Chihuahuas’ offensive attack
This season in El Paso, Bowen is hitting .292/.362/.600 with 13 HR, 36 RBI, and 121 wRC+ in 49 games. This level of production was enough to convince the Padres’ front office to give him a chance in the majors.
Initially, they project him to be a versatile fourth outfielder, as Bowen can play all three outfield positions. Now, the organization hopes to utilize his speed at the top of the order. Bowen has averaged close to 25 stolen bases in five full minor league seasons.
