Bryce Stowell

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Cleveland Guardians #24 prospect in 2012
  A draft-eligible sophomore in the 2008 draft, Stowell's extra leverage caused him to slide to the 22nd round, where he signed for $725,000. His stock surged along with his velocity in 2010, when he rose from him high Class A to Triple-A while his fastball spiked and touched 100 mph. He tailed off at the end of the season, however, because of an elbow strain that didn't require surgery. During spring training last year, his velocity was down and his mechanics were out of whack. He didn't see any game action until June and spent the last six weeks of the season in Double-A. After working in the mid-90s with his fastball in 2010, Stowell sat in the low 90s and maxed out at 95 last year. He shows an average slider at times but it's inconsistent. He can get away with a little wildness when his fastball is at its best, but regardless of whether his velocity returns, he'll need to throw more strikes and improve his fastball command. Stowell also missed six weeks in 2009 with biceps tendinitis, giving him an arm injury in each of his three pro seasons, so durability is a concern. He'll likely open 2012 in the Triple-A bullpen.
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  Ranked Cleveland Guardians #18 prospect in 2011
  Another Indians over-slot signing from the 2008 draft, Stowell received a $725,000 bonus as a draft-eligible sophomore taken in the 22nd round. When he turned pro, he was a starter with a low-90s fastball that peaked at 95 mph. Moved to the bullpen in 2010, he saw his velocity skyrocket and operated in the mid-90s and touching 98 with solid life. He used his suddenly overpowering fastball to go from high Class A to Triple-A, tailing off in Columbus and coming down with an elbow strain that didn't require surgery. Stowell also throws a hard slider that lacks consistency, and he can mix in a changeup on occasion. He also missed the first six weeks of the 2009 season with biceps tendinitis, so he still has to prove he can stay healthy for a full season. He also must learn to command his fastball better. The Indians expect Stowell to be 100 percent again by spring training, and he'll likely open the season back in Triple-A. He'll be in Cleveland once he learns to harness his newfound heat.
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  Ranked Cleveland Guardians #27 prospect in 2009
  Undrafted out of high school, where he also played water polo, Stowell began his college career at Pepperdine. He pitched sparingly as a freshman before ranking as the No. 1 prospect in the Central Illinois Collegiate League that summer. Stowell opted to transfer to UC Irvine, but had to sit out a year because the Waves wouldn't grant him his release. Despite a solid 2008 season, he lasted 22 rounds in the draft because teams worried about his signability as a draft-eligible sophomore. After he earned all-star honors in the Cape Cod League, the Indians signed him just before the Aug. 15 deadline for $725,000. Stowell has a relatively fluid delivery and throws a fastball that sits at 89-91 mph and peaks at 93 mph. His hard slider is his No. 2 pitch, and he also throws a changeup. He showed improved command of both secondary pitches last summer, and Cape observers also thought he exuded more confidence in his second stint in the league. Stowell will need to continue to develop his changeup to remain a starter. He'll make his pro debut with one of Cleveland's Class A affiliates in 2009.