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MMN Pitcher of the Week: Matthew Bowman

By Former Writers

May 27, 2013 No comments

matt-bowman

Congratulations to Matthew Bowman, who takes home this week’s honors of being the MMN Pitcher of the Week! It was a tight race between the former Princeton right-hander and Binghamton’s Mark Cohoon, but Bowman’s solid performance yesterday against Bradenton sealed the deal.

It was a two-start week for Bowman that helped him earn the honors this week. Facing Dunedin and Bradenton, he went 1-0 in 14 innings pitched, allowing 4 runs on 14 hits, two walks, and 17 strikeouts. Before allowing two runs in the third inning of yesterday’s contest, Bowman retired the first six Marauders he faced in only 21 pitches. Talk about setting the tone.

Bowman continues to prove his worth throughout the lower levels of the minor leagues. He was a 13th round pick in the 2012 draft, and has quickly risen from short-season Class-A with Brooklyn to Advanced-A with St. Lucie. His time as a Cyclone was mostly spent as a reliever, posting a 2.45 ERA in 12 appearances (one start), spanning over 29.1 innings pitched in 2012.

He started 2013 with the Savannah Sand Gnats, but the Mets didn’t have him stay there very long. After posting a 4-0 record with 26 strikeouts and four walks in 30.2 innings pitched (five starts), he was promoted to the Florida State League with St. Lucie, and has continued his winning ways.

In four starts since his promotion, Bowman is 3-0 in 27 innings pitched, striking out 33 hitters and allowing four walks. In his St. Lucie debut, he lasted six innings against Dayton. Since then, he’s lasted seven innings in every start, being a model of consistency.

It’s been pretty fun to watch so many young pitchers throughout each level of the minor leagues emerge as contributors within their respective leagues. Obviously, not all of them will end up being impact prospects, but knowing there is some sort of depth throughout the system is an encouraging sight.

MMN’s Bill Passonno compares Bowman’s build and delivery to two-time Cy Young winner, Tim Lincecum. That would be some pretty good company to be in, and I doubt anyone in the organization would oppose that if the right-hander continued progressing the way he is. If Bowman does eventually make it to the big leagues, he has the chance to be the first Princeton player to don the Orange and Blue since Chris Young did last season.

Bowman was also recognized by MLB Depth Charts as their choice for the Under the Radar Minor League NL Pitching Perfomance of the Week. It’s nice to see that we weren’t the only one to notice what he’s done on the mound this season.

Our congratulations go out to Matt Bowman on a solid two-start week, and the MMN Pitcher of the Week award! As long as he keeps going deep into games and limits the walks, the sky is the limit for him.