The Cincinnati Reds have decided to return their Rule 5 draft selection, Cooper Bowman, to the Oakland Athletics. This move comes after Bowman struggled during spring training, hitting just .120/.267/.120 in 30 plate appearances.
With this decision, Cincinnati’s 40-man roster count drops to 39, while Bowman will not need to be added to Oakland’s 40-man roster.
Originally drafted by the Yankees, Bowman was part of the trade that sent Frankie Montas and Lou Trivino to New York in August 2022. Despite showing promise at Double-A, Bowman’s performance at Triple-A left much to be desired.
Here, we delve into the details of Bowman’s career journey and the implications of this recent roster move.
Cooper Bowman’s Professional Journey
Cooper Bowman, a 25-year-old infielder, began his professional career when he was drafted by the New York Yankees. His journey took a significant turn in August 2022, when he was traded to the Oakland Athletics as part of a deal that sent Frankie Montas and Lou Trivino to the Yankees.
Bowman’s performance in the minor leagues has been a mixed bag, showcasing both potential and areas needing improvement.
Minor League Performance
After joining the Athletics, Bowman posted decent numbers at the Double-A level. Over the course of his minor league career from the start of 2023 through July 28, 2024, he appeared in 152 games, primarily at Double-A, with a few games in the Complex League.
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During this period, Bowman accumulated 705 plate appearances, walking at an 11.8% clip and maintaining a strikeout rate of 20.9%. His combined batting line of .272/.369/.450 resulted in a solid 125 wRC+.
Additionally, Bowman demonstrated his speed by stealing 73 bases in 81 attempts and displayed defensive versatility by playing mostly at second base, with stints at third base, shortstop, and center field.
Struggles at Triple-A
Despite his success at Double-A, Bowman faced challenges when promoted to Triple-A for the final weeks of the 2024 season. In a 38-game sample, he struggled to find his footing, hitting just .218/.284/.308. This performance highlighted the gap between Double-A and Triple-A competition, raising questions about his readiness for the major leagues.
Reds’ Decision to Draft Bowman in Rule 5
Despite his struggles at Triple-A, the Cincinnati Reds saw potential in Bowman’s speed, defensive versatility, and decent offensive performance at Double-A. They selected him in the Rule 5 draft, giving him an opportunity to break camp with the major league team and make his debut.
However, his spring training performance fell short of expectations, with a batting line of .120/.267/.120 in 30 plate appearances.
As per Rule 5 regulations, the Reds were required to keep Bowman on the major league roster for the entire season or place him on waivers. Any team claiming him would have been subject to the same requirements.
Return to the Athletics
Ultimately, the Reds decided to return Bowman to the Athletics, as no other team was willing to give him a 40-man roster spot. Bowman will now provide additional non-roster depth for Oakland, where he will have the opportunity to continue developing his skills and potentially earn another shot at the major leagues in the future.
Implications for the Reds and Athletics
The decision to return Bowman to the Athletics has several implications for both teams. For the Reds, this move opens up a spot on their 40-man roster, allowing them to explore other options to strengthen their roster.
For the Athletics, Bowman’s return provides them with a versatile infielder who can contribute both offensively and defensively at the minor league level.
Although his performance at Triple-A was underwhelming, his success at Double-A and ability to steal bases make him a valuable depth option.
Future Prospects for Bowman
Bowman’s journey is far from over. At 25 years old, he still has time to refine his skills and make the necessary adjustments to succeed at higher levels of competition.
His ability to play multiple positions and steal bases makes him an intriguing player to watch. If he can improve his performance at Triple-A and demonstrate consistency, he may earn another opportunity to break into the major leagues.
Key Takeaways
- Cooper Bowman was returned to the Athletics by the Reds after struggling in spring training.
- He was initially drafted by the Yankees and traded to the Athletics in August 2022.
- Bowman showed promise at Double-A but struggled at Triple-A.
- The Reds selected him in the Rule 5 draft but decided to return him due to his underwhelming spring training performance.
- Bowman will provide non-roster depth for the Athletics and has the potential to develop further.
Conclusion
The return of Cooper Bowman to the Oakland Athletics marks another chapter in the young infielder’s career. While his journey has been marked by ups and downs, Bowman’s potential remains evident.
The Reds’ decision to return him reflects the challenges of transitioning from the minor leagues to the majors, but it also underscores the opportunities that lie ahead.
As Bowman continues to develop, both the Athletics and baseball fans will be watching closely to see if he can overcome his struggles and make a successful return to the big leagues.
For more details on this story, you can visit the original article on MLB Trade Rumors.
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