"40 in 40" - A Look at the Roster: Bowden, Michael

Name: Bowden, Michael (Starter/Reliever, Bats:R, Throws:R, #:64)

Age: 24 

Size: 6' 3" 215 lbs

Acquired: Drafted in the 1st round of the 2005 Amatuer Draft

Contract: Pre-Arb (Earliest Arb = 2013)

Comments: Bowden, like Lars Anderson, has bounced up and down the Sox prospects lists of the past few years. He has a 3.28 minor league ERA over 637+ innings at all levels, but he has failed to impress in his 36+ major league innings. Although Bowden came up as a starter, he has since been tried as a relief pitcher in hopes that he could help the big club in that capacity. In terms of stuff, Bowden boasts a low-90s fastball which he throws about 70% of the time and an 85 mph slider. He also mixes in a change and a cutter. Throughout his 3 seasons of limited major league exposure, he seems to have suffered from some bad luck (.387, .377, .373 BABIP) so it may be too early to write him off.

Career Stats (Minors/Majors):

IP: 637+/36+

ERA: 3.26/6.69

WHIP: 1.15/1.68

K/9: 7.8/6.9

BB/9: 2.7/2.7

FIP/xFIP (Majors): 4.25/4.79

Unique Stat: In 2009's 16 innings if work, Bowden's xFIP was half of his ERA - 4.85 vs. 9.56

Analysis: Bowden will be given opportunity to help the club out of the bullpen in 2011. With the names brought on board (Wheeler, Jenks, etc.) he may have to start the season in Pawtucket but its highly likely that he sees more innings with the parent club. Only 24 and with above-aaverage stuff, he can hardly be written off but he does need to show something at the major league level soon.

Tomorrow: Clay Buchholz