Ben Rowen

Benjamin Ramon Rowen (born November 15, 1988) is an American professional baseball former pitcher and current scout and coach. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Texas Rangers, Milwaukee Brewers, and Los Angeles Angels. After his retirement as a player, he joined the Angels organization as an advance scout.

Ben Rowen
Pitcher
Born: (1988-11-15) November 15, 1988
Dunedin, Florida, U.S.[1]
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
MLB debut
June 15, 2014, for the Texas Rangers
Last MLB appearance
May 4, 2021, for the Los Angeles Angels
MLB statistics
Win–loss record0–0
Earned run average6.26
Strikeouts17
Teams

Early life

Rowen was born in Dunedin, Florida to Michael and Darlene Rowen.[1][2] He lived with his family in East Aurora, New York between the ages of two and nine. The family thereafter moved to California where Michael Rowen worked for Moog Inc.[2]

As a freshman at Palos Verdes High School in Palos Verdes, California, Rowen dropped his arm angle and became a submarine pitcher. After high school he pitched at Los Angeles Harbor College for two years before transferring to Virginia Tech.[3] In 2009, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Cotuit Kettleers of the Cape Cod Baseball League.[4][5]

Professional career

Texas Rangers

The Texas Rangers selected Rowen in the 22nd round of the 2010 Major League Baseball draft.[6] He made his professional debut for the Spokane Indians that year. In 33 innings pitched he had a 1.09 earned run average and 30 strikeouts.

Pitching for the Hickory Crawdads in 2011, Rowen had a 1.98 ERA and 43 strikeouts in 59 innings. In 2012, while pitching for the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, Rowen was the MiLB Relief Pitcher of the Year.[7] For the season he had a 1.57 ERA, 19 saves and 52 strikeouts in 57+1⁄3 innings. In 2013, he was invited to the Rangers spring training.[8][9] He started the season with the Frisco RoughRiders. He was promoted to the Round Rock Express in July.[10][11]

Rowen was called up to the majors for the first time on June 11, 2014, and he made his major league debut on June 15, pitching a scoreless inning of relief against the Seattle Mariners. In eight appearances out of the bullpen he had a 4.15 ERA. The Rangers designated him for assignment on December 16, 2014[12] and he was released a few days later.[13]

Baltimore Orioles

Rowen signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers on January 20, 2015, that included an invitation to spring training. The Dodgers assigned him to the Double-A Tulsa Drillers, but before the minor league season started he was traded to the Baltimore Orioles (along with minor league catcher Chris O'Brien) in exchange for Ryan Webb, minor league catcher Brian Ward, and a competitive balance draft pick.[14] He opted out of his contract on July 1, 2015.[15]

Chicago Cubs

Rowen signed a minor league deal with the Chicago Cubs on July 5, 2015. He was called up on July 29,[15] but was designated for assignment two days later without making an appearance.[16]

Toronto Blue Jays

On August 3, 2015, Rowen was claimed off waivers by the Toronto Blue Jays and assigned to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons.[17] He was invited to Major League spring training, and optioned to minor league camp on March 13.[18] On August 1, 2016, Rowen was designated for assignment.[19]

Milwaukee Brewers

Rowen was claimed off waivers by the Milwaukee Brewers on August 4, 2016.[20] He was outrighted off the 40-man roster on November 9.[21]

New York Mets

On December 15, 2016, Rowen signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets organization.[22] He made 54 appearances out of the bullpen for the Triple–A Las Vegas 51s, recording a 4.41 ERA with 52 strikeouts in 63+1⁄3 innings pitched. Rowen elected free agency following the season on November 6.[23]

Cincinnati Reds

On January 19, 2018, Rowen signed a minor league deal with the Cincinnati Reds.[24] He was released on May 9, 2018.

Sugar Land Skeeters

On June 3, 2018, Rowen signed with the Sugar Land Skeeters of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.

Atlanta Braves

On January 18, 2019, Rowen signed a minor league deal with the Atlanta Braves. On July 19, 2019, he pitched in the Triple-A All-Star Game.

Rowen did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[25] He became a free agent on November 2, 2020.

Los Angeles Angels

On December 14, 2020, Rowen signed a minor league deal with the Los Angeles Angels.[26] On April 12, 2021, Rowen was selected to the active roster.[27] He made his Angels debut that day, his first major league appearance since 2016, throwing 1 shutout inning. After allowing 8 runs in 11.1 innings, Rowen was designated for assignment on May 5.[28] On May 8, after clearing waivers, he was outrighted to the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees.[29][30] On October 14, Rowen elected free agency.[31]

Post-playing career

On December 10, 2021, Rowen announced his retirement from professional baseball, and joined the Los Angeles Angels in an advanced scouting position.[32]

Pitching style

Rowen pitched with a submarine-style delivery.[33][34] Rowen threw three pitches: a two-seam fastball, a slider, and a changeup. He was compared to former submarine reliever Chad Bradford due to their low fastball velocity. Rowen's fastball topped out between 78–82 miles per hour (126–132 km/h).[35] In 2021, Rowen switched to an overhand pitching delivery.[36]

References
  1. Hiemstra, Rodney (June 24, 2016). "#GetInspired: Ben Rowen is working from below to get back on top". MiLB.com. Minor League Baseball. Retrieved December 18, 2016.
  2. Moritz, Amy (August 12, 2015). "Family is the key to baseball life for Ben Rowen". The Buffalo News. Retrieved December 18, 2016.
  3. Thorpe, Dave (July 1, 2013). "Baseball: Palos Verdes grad Ben Rowen working way up through minor leagues". Daily Breeze. Retrieved December 18, 2016.
  4. "Major League Baseball Players From the Cape Cod League" (PDF). capecodbaseball.org. Retrieved January 9, 2020.
  5. "2009 Cotuit Kettleers". thebaseballcube.com. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  6. "Texas Rangers draft roundup: Rounds 21-25". Texas Rangers Blog. Archived from the original on November 18, 2013. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  7. "Rowen submarines way to MiLBY - MiLB.com News - The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". MiLB.com. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  8. "Fraley: Texas Rangers 'fascinated' by submariner Ben Rowen". dallasnews.com. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  9. "Texas Rangers promote minor league relievers Ben Rowen, Lisalverto Bonilla to major league camp". Texas Rangers Blog. Archived from the original on March 14, 2013. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  10. "Frisco RoughRiders - Frisco RoughRiders News". Frisco RoughRiders. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  11. "Baseball: Palos Verdes grad Ben Rowen working way up through minor leagues". dailynews.com. Archived from the original on April 14, 2015. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  12. "Rangers Designate Scott Barnes, Ben Rowen For Assignment". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  13. "Minor Moves: Lindblom, Rowen, Minicozzi". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  14. Adams, Steve (April 9, 2015). "Dodgers Acquire Ryan Webb". mlb trade rumors.
  15. Brown, Mark (July 29, 2015). "One that got away from the Orioles: Ben Rowen called up by Cubs". camdenchat.com. Retrieved August 3, 2015.
  16. Adams, Steve (August 3, 2015). "Blue Jays Claim Ben Rowen From Cubs". mlbtraerumors.com. Retrieved August 3, 2015.
  17. Buffalo Bisons (August 3, 2015). "Blue Jays claim RHP Ben Rowen, assign reliever to the Bisons". Retrieved August 3, 2015.
  18. "Ben Nicholson-Smith on Twitter". Twitter. March 13, 2016. Retrieved March 14, 2016.
  19. Wilmoth, Charlie (August 1, 2016). "Minor MLB Transactions: 8/1/16". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
  20. Adams, Steve (August 4, 2016). "Brewers Claim Ben Rowen From Blue Jays". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved August 4, 2016.
  21. Todd, Jeff (November 9, 2016). "Minor MLB Transactions: 11/9/16". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved November 9, 2016.
  22. Carig, Marc (December 15, 2016). "Mets sign pitchers Ben Rowen and Cory Burns". newsday.com. Retrieved December 16, 2016.
  23. "Minor League Free Agents 2017". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved June 27, 2023.
  24. "Top MLB Prospects, Scouting Reports, Analysis".
  25. "2020 Minor League Baseball season cancelled". mlb.com. Retrieved June 27, 2023.
  26. "Major League Baseball Transactions".
  27. "Angels Place Anthony Rendon On 10-Day IL". MLB Trade Rumors.
  28. "Angels Place Anthony Rendon on Injured List, Designate Ben Rowen".
  29. "Angels' Ben Rowen: Clears waivers, sent to the Triple-A". CBS Sports. May 8, 2021.
  30. "Angels Place Alex Cobb on 10-Day Injured List".
  31. "Players Recently Electing Free Agency". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
  32. "Ben Rowen Retires, Accepts Front Office Position With Angels". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved December 10, 2021.
  33. Minor Insider: Rangers’ Triple A reliever a submarine commander
  34. "Virginia Tech's submarine closer Ben Rowen sinks hitters". wsls.com. May 26, 2010. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  35. "Q&A: Ben Rowen, Texas Rangers [Submariner] Pitching Prospect". February 20, 2014.
  36. "Palos Verdes' Ben Rowen, now with Angels, evolves from submarine delivery to overhand". Los Angeles Times. February 9, 2021.
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