35. Bryce Stowell - Right-handed Pitcher
Born: 09/23/1986 - Height: 6'2" - Weight: 205 - Bats: Right - Throws: Right
| Year | Age | Team | Lvl | W | L | ERA | G | GS | SV | IP | H | ER | HR | BB | K | BB/9 | K/9 | WHIP |
| 2008 | 21 | UC Irvine | C | 8 | 3 | 3.26 | 16 | 15 | 0 | 88.1 | 82 | 32 | 9 | 36 | 101 | 3.7 | 10.3 | 1.34 |
| 2008 | 21 | Cape Cod | IND | 3 | 1 | 2.36 | 9 | 6 | 0 | 45.2 | 32 | 12 | 4 | 9 | 58 | 1.8 | 11.4 | 0.90 |
History: Stowell was a 22nd round pick in the 2008 Draft out of UC-Irvine. He was draft eligible because he was a redshirt sophomore and 21 years old, so he had the option of returning to college for another year or two, but the Indians pried him out of college with a $725,000 bonus. Strengths & Opportunities: Stowell throws a four-pitch mix of a fastball, sinker, circle changeup and slider. The fastball currently sits at 91-93 MPH and touches 95 MPH, and has the ability to add more velocity. His best secondary pitch is a slider that grades out as an out pitch at the next level. In summer ball Stowell experimented with a 12-6 curveball that he experienced mixed results with. The Indians love his arm, and were impressed with how much more aggressive he became out in the Cape Cod League once he was facing hitters using wood bats instead of aluminum. His velocity jumped up from 92-93 to 94-95, and his breaking ball improved.
Stowell signed late, so he did not pitch in the Indians system in 2008 nor did he participate in the Instructional League in the fall because he logged so many innings over the summer playing in the Cape Cod League. His performance in the Cape Cod League cemented the Indians desire to sign him and make him a Cleveland Indian. He is a fierce competitor with excellent leadership abilities, which combined with his stuff could be the right mentality for a bullpen role down the road. He needs to improve and be more consistent with his command as it is still lacking a little, but this is something the Indians believe can be worked out as he begins working with them next year.
Outlook: Stowell is part of an impressive haul of power-armed college and high school pitching prospects the Indians were able to draft and sign last year. Since Stowell did not pitch for a short-season league team last year, it is tough to gauge where the Indians may place him this upcoming season, but the best guess at this point is he opens the 2009 season at Single-A Lake County but will move quickly to advanced Single-A Kinston provided he stays healthy and performs well.
Photo courtesy of UC-Irvine Athletic Department
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4 comments:
Hey Tony,
I was real pleased you pointed out the specifics of his improvement at Cape Cod. It looks like there was control improvement as well but i suspect there is still command upside. I saw a good prospect during the college season but the Cape really upgraded his ceiling.
Yeah, he is one of those guys I really look forward to seeing this year. Hard guy to project out for the 2009 season and where he goes and how he performs.
This Stowell kid is a stud. I am looking forward to seeing throw for the Indians in the next couple years.
Tony,
As a UCI Baseball Fan it was tough to see Bryce sign. However, it was best for him.
When on he cannot be touched.
Great person, terrific family and works very hard.
Indians are lucky to have him.
Go get'em Bryce!
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