Pirates Prospect Watch: Bowen Impresses in AFL Debut

With MLB’s regular season over and the Pittsburgh Pirates are left out of the playoffs again, we turn our attention to the off-season. Before we go deep into the off-season, we have the Arizona Fall League to look forward to.

On Oct. 2, the Fall League got underway, and now we get to see eight Pirates prospects represent the team and play for the Salt River Rafters.

The Pirates sent Jack Brannigan, Jase Bowen, Carter Bins, Nick Dombkowski, Alessandro Ercolani, J.C. Flowers, Cam Junker, and Tyler Samaniego to play some fall ball.

In game one, Salt River played against Glendale. In addition, Salt River used two Pirates prospects Monday night in Brannigan and Bowen.

Brannigan played shortstop and batted seventh, and Bowen handled right field and batted ninth. In addition, this was both Brannigan’s and Bowen’s first appearance in the Fall League.

To begin, Brannigan looked uncomfortable at the plate. There were several instances where he had some ugly swings, and as a result, he struck out three times and went 0-4 at the plate.

Bowen, on the other hand, looked right at home. Bowen went 2-4 at the plate with a double and a single, but he showcased some professional-looking at-bats.

In his first at-bat, Bowen lined out to center field off a changeup out of the zone and too far down, but he showcased the strength to go down and carry the ball.

In his second at-bat, Bowen took a hanging sinker from Tyler Thomas (Mets’ prospect) and ripped it for a double that registered 96.3 mph in exit velocity.

See video below.

So far on the night Jase Bowen is 1-2 with a double. This double clocked in at 96.3 mph in exit velo and had an xBA if .410. In addition, Jack Brannigan is 0-2 so far tonight. pic.twitter.com/akL2r7MwdI

— Cody Potanko (@2HG013) October 3, 2023

Bowen’s next hit came off of Christopher Troye (44th ranked Red Sox pitcher). The hit registered at 95.3 mph with a launch angle of -13.

In addition, Bowen’s xBA was just .180, most likely due to the launch angle.

See video below

Bowen is now 2-3 on the day for his AFL debut. This time it’s a worm burner up the middle on a slider on the outer third. 95.3 mph exit velo with a LA if -13 lol. In addition, the xBA was .180. pic.twitter.com/l3F8l4SXYs

— Cody Potanko (@2HG013) October 3, 2023

In his last at-bat of the night, Bowen hit a ball 100.4 mph off the bat on the left side of the infield and the shortstop couldn’t handle it, and resulted in a run.

See video below

This was ruled an error, but Jase Bowen reached base for the third time tonight and a run resulted. 100.4 off the bat. Really hate the camera angle lol. pic.twitter.com/2usDMLPYc9

— Cody Potanko (@2HG013) October 3, 2023

It was later ruled an error, but Bowen reached base thrice and looked good in his AFL debut. In addition, Salt River won 3-1 over Glendale.