Isaac Paredes<\/strong> all on the big league roster at the moment. That’s not to say Franco’s absence won’t sting, of course, even if it’s abbreviated in nature. The consensus No. 1 overall prospect in baseball heading into the 2021 season, Franco has compiled a .281 \/ .331 \/ .447 slash through his first 498 plate appearances (121 wRC +) while turning in strong defensive ratings at shortstop.<\/p>\nBowden, 27, was a waiver claim out of the Rockies organization a month ago. He’s yet to appear in the Majors this season but lui tossed 10 innings for Tampa Bay’s Triple-A affiliate in Durham, allowing a pair of runs on nine hits and seven walks with 10 strikeouts along the way. Those seven free passes in Durham represented a 15.9% walk rate – a continuation of the longstanding command issue that have plagued Bowden throughout his minor league career.<\/p>\n
The Rockies selected Bowden with the 45th overall pick back in 2016. He’s at times looked like an intriguing prospect but also struggled with inconsistency over the years since that lofty selection in the draft. Bowden had terrific Double-A numbers in 2019 and was outstanding in Triple-A last year – 11 2\/3 scoreless innings, 17-to-4 K \/ BB ratio – but his big league debut last season didn’t go nearly as smoothly . In 35 2\/3 frames for the Rockies, Bowden was tagged for a 6.56 ERA with a 23.7% strikeout rate and a bloated 11.9% walk rate.<\/p>\n
The Rays will have a week to trade Bowden, pass him through outright waivers or release him. He’s already been claimed once this season, and with any lefty who can miss bats, there’s always a chance another club will have some interest either in a small trade or via waiver claim.<\/p>\n
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