Ben Rowen


Benjamin Ramon Rowen is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Atlanta Braves organization. He previously played in Major League Baseball for the Texas Rangers and Milwaukee Brewers.

Early life

Rowen was born in Dunedin, Florida to Michael and Darlene Rowen. He lived with his family in East Aurora, New York between the ages of 2 and 9. The family thereafter moved to California where Michael Rowen worked for Moog Inc.
As a freshman at Palos Verdes High School, Rowen dropped his arm angle and became a submarine pitcher. After high school he pitched at Los Angeles Harbor College for two years before transferring to Virginia Tech. In 2009, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Cotuit Kettleers of the Cape Cod Baseball League.

Professional career

Texas Rangers

Rowen was drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 22nd round of the 2010 Major League Baseball Draft out of Virginia Tech. He made his professional debut for the Spokane Indians that year. In 33 innings pitched he had a 1.09 earned run average and 30 strikeouts.
Pitching for the Hickory Crawdads in 2011, Rowen had a 1.98 ERA and 43 strikeouts in 59 innings. In 2012, while pitching for the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, Rowen was the MiLB Relief Pitcher of the Year. For the season he had a 1.57 ERA, 19 saves and 52 strikeouts in innings. In 2013, he was invited to the Rangers spring training. He started the season with the Frisco RoughRiders. He was promoted to the Round Rock Express in July.
Rowen was called up to the majors for the first time on June 11, 2014, and he made his major league debut on June 15, pitching a scoreless inning of relief against the Seattle Mariners. In eight appearances out of the bullpen he had a 4.15 ERA. The Rangers designated him for assignment on December 16, 2014 and he was released a few days later.

Baltimore Orioles

Rowen signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers on January 20, 2015, that included an invitation to spring training. The Dodgers assigned him to the Double-A Tulsa Drillers, but before the minor league season started he was traded to the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for Ryan Webb, minor league catcher Brian Ward, and a competitive balance draft pick. He opted out of his contract on July 1, 2015.

Chicago Cubs

Rowen signed a minor league deal with the Chicago Cubs on July 5, 2015. He was called up on July 29, but was designated for assignment two days later without making an appearance.

Toronto Blue Jays

On August 3, 2015, Rowen was claimed off waivers by the Toronto Blue Jays and assigned to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons. He was invited to Major League spring training, and optioned to minor league camp on March 13. On August 1, Rowen was designated for assignment.

Milwaukee Brewers

Rowen was claimed off waivers by the Milwaukee Brewers on August 4, 2016. He was outrighted off the 40-man roster on November 9.

New York Mets

Rowen was signed by the New York Mets on December 15, 2016 to a minor-league deal. He elected free agency on November 6, 2017.

Cincinnati Reds

On January 19, 2018, Rowen signed a minor league deal with the Cincinnati Reds. He was released on May 9, 2018.

Sugar Land Skeeters

On June 3, 2018, Rowen signed with the Sugar Land Skeeters of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.

Atlanta Braves

On January 18, 2019, Rowen signed a minor league deal with the Atlanta Braves. On July 19, 2019, he pitched in the Triple-A All-Star Game.

Pitching style

Rowen pitches with a submarine-style delivery. Rowen throws three pitches, a two-seam fastball, a slider and a changeup. He has been often compared to former submarine reliever Chad Bradford due to low fastball velocity. Rowen's fastball tops out between 78-82 MPH.