Jonathan Bowlan

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Kansas City Royals #19 prospect in 2024
  BA Grade: 45/High
  
  Track Record: The Royals drafted Bowlan in the second round in 2018 and he was tracking toward a big league debut in 2021 until an elbow injury required Tommy John surgery that summer. He returned just over a year later, but has been more hittable and also dealt with shoulder and groin issues. Bowlan split his 2023 season between Double-A northwest Arkansas and Triple-A Omaha before making his big league debut in late September, pitching in a pair of games during the last week of the season.
  
  Scouting Report: The velocity on Bowlan’s mid-90s four-seam fastball returned in 2023. His gyro slider averaged 85-86 mph with good movement and was his best swing-and-miss secondary. Bowlan also throws an upper-80s changeup that has some action but is too firm. He added a low-80s curveball with downward break prior to his surgery, but he needs to rebuild his trust in the pitch. Bowlan was a good strike-thrower early in his career, but his walk rate has nearly doubled upon reaching the upper minors after surgery. There’s optimism his control can recover as more time elapses following surgery.
  
  The Future: The Royals hope Bowlan fully returns to form as he learns to trust his stuff again after the injury. He could factor into the back of the Royals’ rotation at some point in 2024.
  
  Scouting Grades Fastball: 50 | Curveball: 40 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 55
• 
  Ranked Kansas City Royals #11 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/High
  
  Track Record: Kansas City's second round pick in 2018, Bowlan was on target to make his major debut during the 2021 season until he suffered an elbow injury requiring Tommy John surgery, with the injury coming after he had gotten into the best shape of his career. With a successful rehab period behind him Bowlan was back on the mound just a little more than a year after surgery. He pitched in seven games in the Arizona Complex League, one game at High-A Quad Cities and finished the season with nine starts at Double-A Northwest Arkansas.
  
  Scouting Report: Bowlan's four-seam fastball has averaged 93 mph since his return, just a tick lower than before surgery, and was a bit more cutter-ish. His gyro slider at 85 mph got swings-and-misses at Double-A, and an 87-mph changeup is a little too firm but has action to it. Bowlan's low-80s curveball with downward break was his newest pitch pre-surgery, and he needs to get to the front of it and rebuild his trust in the pitch. The biggest issue is that the fastball command wasn't completely back but that should happen as he moves further from the surgery. Bowlan's 9.3% walk rate in Double-A is high for him, another issue that should clear up in time.
  
  The Future: His most likely landing spot to start 2023 is Triple-A Omaha. While inconsistent in his first partial year back from surgery, Bowlan has a strong history and had enough good outings to be placed on the 40-man in October.
  
  Scouting Grades Fastball: 60. Curveball: 55. Slider: 55. Changeup: 50. Control: 60
• 
  Ranked Kansas City Royals #9 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: Heeding the advice of Royals officials to get his body in better shape, Bowlan arrived at spring training in 2021 with a significantly improved physique. It appeared to pay off when he began the 2021 season with three outstanding starts at Double-A Northwest Arkansas, but after being pulled early in his fourth start, it was determined he needed Tommy John surgery. The injury robbed Bowlan of what was looking like his breakthrough season and the chance to represent his country as a member of the United States Olympic qualifying team.
  
  Scouting Report: Bowlan uses a four-pitch mix highlighted by a 93-97 mph fastball. His fastball jumps on hitters because of the extension he gets in his delivery out of his big, 6-foot-6 frame and plays as a plus pitch with late explosion in the strike zone. Bowlan’s biggest change in 2021 was the addition of a curveball to complement his low-80s slider and give him a second breaking ball. His nascent 80-82 mph curve with downward break gives hitters a different look from his slider and plays well off of his other pitches. Bowlan’s slider has late bite and he has a good feel for his changeup, which he throws to both righthanded and lefthanded batters. His pitches play up because of how well he controls and commands them. Bowlan repeats his clean delivery and pounds the strike zone effectively, and the above-average life and deception on all of his pitches allow him to go right after hitters.
  
  The Future: Bowlan’s work ethic and dedication to conditioning will help him during the injury rehab process. The Royals hope he may return late in the 2022 season, but it may be 2023 before he gets back on the mound.
  
• 
  Ranked Kansas City Royals #9 prospect in 2021
  Fastball: 55. Slider: 55. Changeup: 50. Control: 60.
  
  TRACK RECORD: The Royals drafted the massive, husky Bowlan in the second round in 2018 and signed him for $697,500. They implored him to get in better shape and he responded, slimming down and adding strength each year since being drafted. Bowlan’s career highlight came when he threw a no-hitter at high Class A Wilmington in 2019, and he was a late addition to the Royals’ alternate training site in 2020 before taking part in their instructional league program in Kansas City.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Bowlan is an intimidating presence at 6-foot-6, 248 pounds and throws a heavy, 93-96 mph fastball that jumps on hitters with the extension he generates out of his delivery. Both of Bowlan’s secondary pitches flash above-average potential. His darting, low-80s slider has late bite and he shows feel for a changeup he will throw to both righthanded and lefthanded hitters. Despite his big body, Bowlan repeats his delivery with a clean arm action and pounds the strike zone. He has above-average life and deception on all of his pitches and goes right after hitters.
  
  THE FUTURE: Bowlan projects as a workhorse toward the back of a rotation. With the Royals flush with rotation prospects, he could also thrive in a multi-inning relief role.
• 
  Ranked Kansas City Royals #11 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: A second-round pick in 2018, the burly Bowlan reported to spring training in better shape and rode his improved conditioning to a strong season at both Class A levels. The highlight of his season was a no-hitter in his fifth game after being promoted to high Class A Wilmington.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Bowlan, who checks in at 262 pounds, stands out for how well he commands his pitches and is credited with having the best control in the Royals' system. He throws a heavy fastball from a full windup, sitting 90-95 mph and touching 97. Bowlan has two more potential plus pitches—a slider that got better tilt to it while working with Wilmington pitching coach Steve Luebber, and a changeup for which he has good feel. All pitches show above-average life and deception from a delivery that he repeats well. He's got good pitchability with a good idea of what he's doing on the mound.
  
  THE FUTURE: Bowlan is the prototypical workhorse who projects in the middle or back of a rotation, but he has to watch his weight. He is set to see Double-A in 2020.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #230 prospect in 2018 draft
  Bowlan is a massive, 6-foot-6, 260-pound righthander who went from being a part-time starter/reliever as a sophomore to a weekend starter as a junior. He's pitched better than his 2-9, 3.71 record would indicate. He's allowed 93 hits in 85 innings, but he's only walked 18 while striking out 104. His stuff has stayed firm as a starter and he sits 91-94 and touches 95 with a three-pitch mix while carrying that velocity deep into games. His changeup and slider are both below-average pitches right now, but they flash potential to be at least average offerings eventually. Bowlan has the frame to be a durable back-end starter and unlike a lot of big-boned pitchers, he already has solid body control and above-average control for his age.

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/High
  
  Track Record: Kansas City's second round pick in 2018, Bowlan was on target to make his major debut during the 2021 season until he suffered an elbow injury requiring Tommy John surgery, with the injury coming after he had gotten into the best shape of his career. With a successful rehab period behind him Bowlan was back on the mound just a little more than a year after surgery. He pitched in seven games in the Arizona Complex League, one game at High-A Quad Cities and finished the season with nine starts at Double-A Northwest Arkansas.
  
  Scouting Report: Bowlan's four-seam fastball has averaged 93 mph since his return, just a tick lower than before surgery, and was a bit more cutter-ish. His gyro slider at 85 mph got swings-and-misses at Double-A, and an 87-mph changeup is a little too firm but has action to it. Bowlan's low-80s curveball with downward break was his newest pitch pre-surgery, and he needs to get to the front of it and rebuild his trust in the pitch. The biggest issue is that the fastball command wasn't completely back but that should happen as he moves further from the surgery. Bowlan's 9.3% walk rate in Double-A is high for him, another issue that should clear up in time.
  
  The Future: His most likely landing spot to start 2023 is Triple-A Omaha. While inconsistent in his first partial year back from surgery, Bowlan has a strong history and had enough good outings to be placed on the 40-man in October.
  
  Scouting Grades Fastball: 60. Curveball: 55. Slider: 55. Changeup: 50. Control: 60
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/High
  
  Track Record: Kansas City's second round pick in 2018, Bowlan was on target to make his major debut during the 2021 season until he suffered an elbow injury requiring Tommy John surgery, with the injury coming after he had gotten into the best shape of his career. With a successful rehab period behind him Bowlan was back on the mound just a little more than a year after surgery. He pitched in seven games in the Arizona Complex League, one game at High-A Quad Cities and finished the season with nine starts at Double-A Northwest Arkansas.
  
  Scouting Report: Bowlan's four-seam fastball has averaged 93 mph since his return, just a tick lower than before surgery, and was a bit more cutter-ish. His gyro slider at 85 mph got swings-and-misses at Double-A, and an 87-mph changeup is a little too firm but has action to it. Bowlan's low-80s curveball with downward break was his newest pitch pre-surgery, and he needs to get to the front of it and rebuild his trust in the pitch. The biggest issue is that the fastball command wasn't completely back but that should happen as he moves further from the surgery. Bowlan's 9.3% walk rate in Double-A is high for him, another issue that should clear up in time.
  
  The Future: His most likely landing spot to start 2023 is Triple-A Omaha. While inconsistent in his first partial year back from surgery, Bowlan has a strong history and had enough good outings to be placed on the 40-man in October.
  
  Scouting Grades Fastball: 60. Curveball: 55. Slider: 55. Changeup: 50. Control: 60
• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 50/High
  
  Track Record: Heeding the advice of Royals officials to get his body in better shape, Bowlan arrived at spring training in 2021 with a significantly improved physique. It appeared to pay off when he began the 2021 season with three outstanding starts at Double-A Northwest Arkansas, but after being pulled early in his fourth start, it was determined he needed Tommy John surgery. The injury robbed Bowlan of what was looking like his breakthrough season and the chance to represent his country as a member of the United States Olympic qualifying team.
  
  Scouting Report: Bowlan uses a four-pitch mix highlighted by a 93-97 mph fastball. His fastball jumps on hitters because of the extension he gets in his delivery out of his big, 6-foot-6 frame and plays as a plus pitch with late explosion in the strike zone. Bowlan&#39s biggest change in 2021 was the addition of a curveball to complement his low-80s slider and give him a second breaking ball. His nascent 80-82 mph curve with downward break gives hitters a different look from his slider and plays well off of his other pitches. Bowlan&#39s slider has late bite and he has a good feel for his changeup, which he throws to both righthanded and lefthanded batters. His pitches play up because of how well he controls and commands them. Bowlan repeats his clean delivery and pounds the strike zone effectively, and the above-average life and deception on all of his pitches allow him to go right after hitters.
  
  The Future: Bowlan&#39s work ethic and dedication to conditioning will help him during the injury rehab process. The Royals hope he may return late in the 2022 season, but it may be 2023 before he gets back on the mound.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 60. Slider: 55. Curveball: 55. Changeup: 50. Control: 60
• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: Heeding the advice of Royals officials to get his body in better shape, Bowlan arrived at spring training in 2021 with a significantly improved physique. It appeared to pay off when he began the 2021 season with three outstanding starts at Double-A Northwest Arkansas, but after being pulled early in his fourth start, it was determined he needed Tommy John surgery. The injury robbed Bowlan of what was looking like his breakthrough season and the chance to represent his country as a member of the United States Olympic qualifying team.
  
  Scouting Report: Bowlan uses a four-pitch mix highlighted by a 93-97 mph fastball. His fastball jumps on hitters because of the extension he gets in his delivery out of his big, 6-foot-6 frame and plays as a plus pitch with late explosion in the strike zone. Bowlan’s biggest change in 2021 was the addition of a curveball to complement his low-80s slider and give him a second breaking ball. His nascent 80-82 mph curve with downward break gives hitters a different look from his slider and plays well off of his other pitches. Bowlan’s slider has late bite and he has a good feel for his changeup, which he throws to both righthanded and lefthanded batters. His pitches play up because of how well he controls and commands them. Bowlan repeats his clean delivery and pounds the strike zone effectively, and the above-average life and deception on all of his pitches allow him to go right after hitters.
  
  The Future: Bowlan’s work ethic and dedication to conditioning will help him during the injury rehab process. The Royals hope he may return late in the 2022 season, but it may be 2023 before he gets back on the mound.
  
• July, 2021 Scouting Report
  Fastball: 55. Slider: 55. Changeup: 50. Control: 60.
  
  TRACK RECORD: The Royals drafted the massive, husky Bowlan in the second round in 2018 and signed him for $697,500. They implored him to get in better shape and he responded, slimming down and adding strength each year since being drafted. Bowlan's career highlight came when he threw a no-hitter at high Class A Wilmington in 2019, and he was a late addition to the Royals' alternate training site in 2020 before taking part in their instructional league program in Kansas City.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Bowlan is an intimidating presence at 6-foot-6, 248 pounds and throws a heavy, 93-96 mph fastball that jumps on hitters with the extension he generates out of his delivery. Both of Bowlan's secondary pitches flash above-average potential. His darting, low-80s slider has late bite and he shows feel for a changeup he will throw to both righthanded and lefthanded hitters. Despite his big body, Bowlan repeats his delivery with a clean arm action and pounds the strike zone. He has above-average life and deception on all of his pitches and goes right after hitters.
  
  THE FUTURE: Bowlan projects as a workhorse toward the back of a rotation. With the Royals flush with rotation prospects, he could also thrive in a multi-inning relief role.
• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  Fastball: 55. Slider: 55. Changeup: 50. Control: 60.
  
  TRACK RECORD: The Royals drafted the massive, husky Bowlan in the second round in 2018 and signed him for $697,500. They implored him to get in better shape and he responded, slimming down and adding strength each year since being drafted. Bowlan’s career highlight came when he threw a no-hitter at high Class A Wilmington in 2019, and he was a late addition to the Royals’ alternate training site in 2020 before taking part in their instructional league program in Kansas City.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Bowlan is an intimidating presence at 6-foot-6, 248 pounds and throws a heavy, 93-96 mph fastball that jumps on hitters with the extension he generates out of his delivery. Both of Bowlan’s secondary pitches flash above-average potential. His darting, low-80s slider has late bite and he shows feel for a changeup he will throw to both righthanded and lefthanded hitters. Despite his big body, Bowlan repeats his delivery with a clean arm action and pounds the strike zone. He has above-average life and deception on all of his pitches and goes right after hitters.
  
  THE FUTURE: Bowlan projects as a workhorse toward the back of a rotation. With the Royals flush with rotation prospects, he could also thrive in a multi-inning relief role.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  Fastball: 55. Slider: 55. Changeup: 50. Control: 60.
  
  TRACK RECORD: The Royals drafted the massive, husky Bowlan in the second round in 2018 and signed him for $697,500. They implored him to get in better shape and he responded, slimming down and adding strength each year since being drafted. Bowlan’s career highlight came when he threw a no-hitter at high Class A Wilmington in 2019, and he was a late addition to the Royals’ alternate training site in 2020 before taking part in their instructional league program in Kansas City.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Bowlan is an intimidating presence at 6-foot-6, 248 pounds and throws a heavy, 93-96 mph fastball that jumps on hitters with the extension he generates out of his delivery. Both of Bowlan’s secondary pitches flash above-average potential. His darting, low-80s slider has late bite and he shows feel for a changeup he will throw to both righthanded and lefthanded hitters. Despite his big body, Bowlan repeats his delivery with a clean arm action and pounds the strike zone. He has above-average life and deception on all of his pitches and goes right after hitters.
  
  THE FUTURE: Bowlan projects as a workhorse toward the back of a rotation. With the Royals flush with rotation prospects, he could also thrive in a multi-inning relief role.
• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: A second-round pick in 2018, the burly Bowlan reported to spring training in better shape and rode his improved conditioning to a strong season at both Class A levels. The highlight of his season was a no-hitter in his fifth game after being promoted to high Class A Wilmington.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Bowlan, who checks in at 262 pounds, stands out for how well he commands his pitches and is credited with having the best control in the Royals’ system. He throws a heavy fastball from a full windup, sitting 90-95 mph and touching 97. Bowlan has two more potential plus pitches—a slider that got better tilt to it while working with Wilmington pitching coach Steve Luebber, and a changeup for which he has good feel. All pitches show above-average life and deception from a delivery that he repeats well. He’s got good pitchability with a good idea of what he’s doing on the mound.
  
  THE FUTURE: Bowlan is the prototypical workhorse who projects in the middle or back of a rotation, but he has to watch his weight. He is set to see Double-A in 2020.
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: A second-round pick in 2018, the burly Bowlan reported to spring training in better shape and rode his improved conditioning to a strong season at both Class A levels. The highlight of his season was a no-hitter in his fifth game after being promoted to high Class A Wilmington.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Bowlan, who checks in at 262 pounds, stands out for how well he commands his pitches and is credited with having the best control in the Royals' system. He throws a heavy fastball from a full windup, sitting 90-95 mph and touching 97. Bowlan has two more potential plus pitches—a slider that got better tilt to it while working with Wilmington pitching coach Steve Luebber, and a changeup for which he has good feel. All pitches show above-average life and deception from a delivery that he repeats well. He's got good pitchability with a good idea of what he's doing on the mound.
  
  THE FUTURE: Bowlan is the prototypical workhorse who projects in the middle or back of a rotation, but he has to watch his weight. He is set to see Double-A in 2020.