Memphis' Bowlan excited to be drafted by Royals
The smile was still wide on Jonathan Bowlan’s face a day after his life changed.
The 21-year-old Memphis pitcher was taken in Monday's second round (No. 58 overall) by the Kansas City Royals. Bowlan, who played high school ball at Arlington and Bartlett, was still in disbelief Tuesday morning sitting in the dugout at FedEx Park.
“It was just straight joy,” Bowlan said, “Dreaming of this since I was a kid and actually being in that moment, it was surreal.”
Bowlan was surrounded by his parents, sisters and girlfriend as they watched the MLB draft on television, then plugged in a computer to the TV to keep watching the online broadcast.
He was expected to be a second-day pick and was ranked No. 113 on MLB.com’s top Draft Prospects. But when he got two phone calls from his adviser and an area scout, he realized he’d be taken much earlier.
“That was the biggest surprise,” Bowlan said. “We knew there’d be a chance but a very slim chance. Just the fact it was the 58th overall to the Kansas City Royals was awesome. It’s one of the best feelings I’ve ever had.”
The pick value at No. 58 is $1.2 million, a dramatic difference from what Bowlan could have received as a second-day selection. MLB.com’s scouting report praised him for not just his fastball that ranges from 91-97 mph but also his slider and change-up to go with his 6-foot-6 frame.
Bowlan became the second-highest Tigers player drafted behind Dave Anderson, who was a first round pick with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1981.
Bowlan finished his junior year with 104 strikeouts, becoming the first Tigers pitcher since 2013 to strike out more than 100 batters in a season.
He also set a school and American Athletic Conference record by striking out 18 in an 8-2 win at South Florida on April 28, the most by a pitcher in a NCAA Division I game this season.
Bowlan’s father, Mark, is also in the Tiger record books for throwing the lone perfect game in school history in 1987. The elder Bowlan was drafted by the Cardinals in the 19th round of the 1989 draft.
When father and son embraced after the news, both were overwhelmed with emotion.
“When I was hugging him, it was just a flash of memories growing up and pushing me to reach this point and go beyond it,” Bowlan said. “All that throwing in the backyard, all those bullpen sessions went in my head.”
The moment was expected to be even more special because Bowlan planned to sign his contract Tuesday, his father’s 51st birthday. He added the family planned an even larger gathering to celebrate at his grandfather’s house in Bartlett.