Pirates Prospect Watch: Bowen Registers 22nd Hit of AFL

Heading into Friday’s game, the Salt River Rafters found themselves on a two-game losing streak with Surprise coming into town. Pittsburgh Pirates prospect Jase Bowen, was the lone Pirates position player prospect for Salt River. 

In addition, left-handed pitcher Nick Dombkowski appeared late in the ball game. Unfortunately, Salt River was nearly shut out in a 7-1 loss to Surprise. 

In addition, Surprise now sits atop the Arizona Fall League standings with a 10-7 record, and Salt River is only a game above .500 at 9-8.

Bowen

Bowen had a day off Thursday night. Despite the rest, Bowen didn’t have the best of nights regarding results. The Ohio native went 1-4 at the plate, but he did score Salt River’s only run in the fifth. 

In addition, Bowen’s fifth-inning single was a 63 mph worm burner that he beat out for his 22nd hit of the fall league (second among all AFL players). 

The young Pirates prospect’s slash line dropped to .367/.433/.600 with an OPS of 1.033 in 60 at-bats. In addition, Bowen’s 60 at-bats lead the fall league.  

As an update, Bowen ranks ninth in OPS, sixth in average, fourth in RBIs (13), 17th in OBP, and tenth in slugging. It would seem that the Pittsburgh Pirates prospect is right on course. 

Dombkowski

Salt River inserted Dombkowski in the eighth inning in a no-pressure situation with the team losing 7-1 already. In his inning of work, Dombkowski allowed two hits, no runs, one walk, and struck out one. 

In addition, Dombkowski’s ERA dropped to 4.26 in five games played or 6.1 innings pitched. 

The lefty needed 19 pitches to get through his inning of work and showed four pitches. Dombkowski mainly used his sinker (eight times), but he also used his slider (seven), cutter (two), and four-seam (two). 

Out of 11 swings, Dombkowski had three whiffs and allowed an average exit velocity of 83.9 with three balls put into play.