Thursday, the Mets added 24-year old 3B Shawn Bowman to the 40-man roster. The Mets drafted Bowman, who will turn 25 in December, in the 12th round of the 2002 draft out of high school in British Columbia. In 91 games in AA this year, Bowman hit .294/.346/.458 with 24 doubles and 9 HR in 347 AB over 91 games. However, with 25 walks and 101 strikeouts, he whiffed in 27% of his plate appearances as pitchers were able to exploit his longish swing. Bowman plays nice defense at third with a strong arm.
The Mets did this to keep Bowman in the organization. Otherwise, as a 2002 draftee, he would have been eligible to be a six-year minor league free agent. Had the Mets resigned him to a minor league contract prior to November 20th, and left him on a minor league roster, he would have been eligible in the Rule 5 draft.
The 91 games for Bowman were his most since his breakout season all the way back in, yes, 2004 when he was a 19-year old in A-ball with the Mets Capital City affiliate. Bowman battled back problems that limited him from the 05-08 seasons.
The Mets, and all MLB teams have until November 20th to put together their reserve lists for the rule 5 draft. I’d be surprised if there were multiple other MLB teams ready to sign Bowman at this moment immediately after the conclusion of the World Series.
If nothing else, it’s an oddly timed move.
I agree that the move was oddly timed. I think if Bowman has another solid season in AAA next year (where he should be started IMO) he could become a nice trade piece. He has no place on the Mets roster, but if he has another healthy season, shows the same power and average given the strikeouts he could be a player other teams might covet. I know he’s getting old for prospect status, but his Major Life Changing injury has to be taken into account. Having 2 rods placed in your back would end probably 99.9% of people’s careers.
eh, no way the Mets sign so many free agents between now and Nov 20th that doing this now causes any harm. The Mets are going to be faced with some interesting choices on who to put on waivers later in the winter when they do need some roster spots for new players, and Bowman might well be one of those considered. But for right now this make sense.
Glad for the young man that he’s protected. Must mean the world to him!