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Jeremy Sowers

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Jeremy Sowers
Sowers with the Cleveland Indians in 2009
Tampa Bay Rays
Pitcher / Manager of operations
Born: (1983-05-17) May 17, 1983 (age 41)
St. Clairsville, Ohio, U.S.
Batted: Left
Threw: Left
MLB debut
June 25, 2006, for the Cleveland Indians
Last MLB appearance
October 2, 2009, for the Cleveland Indians
MLB statistics
Win–loss record18–30
Earned run average5.18
Strikeouts174
Teams
As player

As executive

Sowers during his tenure with the Buffalo Bisons, Triple-A affiliates of the Cleveland Indians, in 2008.

Jeremy Bryan Sowers (born May 17, 1983) is an American former professional baseball pitcher and current executive. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cleveland Indians from 2006 to 2009, and is currently the manager of major league operations for the Tampa Bay Rays.

Sowers grew up in Louisville, Kentucky, where he attended Ballard High School. His twin brother, Joshua Sowers, formerly played in the Toronto Blue Jays organization. Sowers' pitching repertoire featured a fastball with which he varied the speed between about 85 and 92 mph, a curveball, a slider that cuts in on right-handed batters, and a changeup.[1]

High school and college

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Sowers threw four no-hitters in high school. In both his junior and his senior year at Ballard, he led the team to consecutive appearances in the state high school championship game and was named All-State, All-Section, All-Region and County Player of the Year. As a senior, he was named to Baseball America's National High School All-American team, Kentucky Gatorade Player of the Year, Mr. Kentucky Baseball and Kentucky High School Coaches Association Athlete of the Year.[2] He was selected out of high school with the 20th overall pick in the 2001 Major League Baseball draft by the Cincinnati Reds.[3]

Rather than sign with the Reds, Sowers chose to attend Vanderbilt University where he was named to the Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American team following the 2002 season[4] and to their 2004 pre-season All-American team.[5] He was second team All-SEC as both a sophomore[6] and a junior[7] and was also selected second team All-South Region by the American Baseball Coaches Association as a sophomore.[8]

In 2002 and 2003, Sowers played collegiate summer baseball for the Wareham Gatemen of the Cape Cod Baseball League (CCBL). A league all-star in 2003, he posted a 1.20 ERA with 64 strikeouts in 67+1⁄3 innings. Sowers was inducted into the CCBL Hall of Fame in 2017.[9][10][11]

After his junior year at Vanderbilt, the Indians selected Sowers with the sixth overall pick in the 2004 Major League Baseball draft.[12] He signed with them for a $2.475 million signing bonus, the third highest bonus in club history.[13] During the 2005–06 offseason, he was granted permission by the club to return to Vanderbilt to complete his political science degree.

Minor leagues

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Sowers split most of the 2005 season between the Indians' Single-A (Kinston) and Double-A (Akron) farm teams, compiling a combined 13–4 record and 2.40 ERA in 26 starts.[14] He finished 2005 with a single start for the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons in which he was credited with a win.[14] He was named the Indians Minor League Pitcher of the Year (Bob Feller Award) for the 2005 season.[15] Baseball America named him the #2 prospect in the Indians organization,[16] the #6 prospect in the Carolina League[17] and the #8 prospect in the Eastern League.[18] He was named the Indians' 2005 Minor League Player of the Year (receiving the "Lou Boudreau Award").[19]

In 2006, Sowers was a non-roster invitee at the Indians' spring training, but did not make the club's Opening Day roster, beginning the season with Buffalo. In 15 starts for the Bisons, he picked up where he left off in 2005, posting a sterling 9–1 record and 1.39 ERA.[14] Baseball America named him the #3 prospect in the International League.[20]

Major leagues

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Cleveland Indians

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Sowers' performance for Buffalo in 2006 earned him a promotion to Cleveland on June 20.[21] He made his major league debut against the Reds on June 25, taking the loss after allowing four earned runs on five hits while recording three strikeouts and two walks in five innings pitched.[22] He tossed his first major league complete game shutout on July 22, 2006, against the Minnesota Twins, allowing four hits and one walk while striking out four.[23] Six days later, he threw another shutout—this one a 1–0 game against the Seattle Mariners—becoming the first Indians rookie to throw back-to-back shutouts since Dick Tidrow in 1972.[24] In his next start on August 2 against the Boston Red Sox, he extended his scoreless inning streak to 22 before yielding an RBI double in the fifth inning.[25] In 15 starts with Cleveland, Sowers finished 7–4 with a 3.57 ERA.[26]

Sowers was projected to be the Indians' fourth starter in 2007.[27] When Cliff Lee was injured during spring training, Sowers was bumped up to the third spot in the starting rotation. However, he struggled through the first two months of the season (1–6, 6.93 ERA in 12 starts) and was demoted to Buffalo on June 10.[28] On September 26, Sowers returned to start the second game of a doubleheader against the Mariners. He tossed five scoreless innings and was in line for the win after leaving the game, but earned a no-decision in Seattle's 3–2 win.[29]

In 2008, Sowers competed for Cleveland's fifth starter job in spring training along with Cliff Lee and Aaron Laffey. Lee won the job, sending Sowers back to Triple-A Buffalo.[30] On April 26, Sowers was recalled from Buffalo to start against the New York Yankees.[31] He allowed three earned runs in 5+1⁄3 innings while striking out three in a no-decision.[32] Sowers was optioned back to Buffalo following the game.[33] He was recalled to make another spot start on May 16.[34] After earning a second no-decision, he was again sent to Buffalo to make room on the roster for Michael Aubrey.[35] On June 8, Sowers was recalled for a third time, and spent the remainder of the season in Cleveland's starting rotation.[36] In 22 starts, he was 4–9 with a 5.58 ERA.[26]

During spring training in 2009, Sowers again competed for the fifth starting pitcher slot; he was not selected and was sent down to the Triple-A Columbus Clippers.[37] On May 7, he was recalled to the active roster.[38] Sowers appeared in 23 games (22 starts) with the Indians, going 6–11 with an ERA of 5.25.[26]

On March 31, 2010, after failing to secure a spot in the major league starting rotation, Sowers was sent outright to Triple-A Columbus and removed from the Indians' 40-man roster.[39] Suffering with a sore shoulder for most of the season, Sowers was finally placed on the disabled list on August 14, 2010, and did not play for the remainder of the 2010 season.[40] He became a free agent on November 2, 2011.[26]

Southern Maryland Blue Crabs

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After sitting out the 2012 season, Sowers signed with the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball on April 17, 2013.[41] He announced his retirement on June 1.[41] In eight starts, Sowers went 1–3 with a 4.30 ERA and 25 strikeouts in 44 innings pitched.[14]

Post-playing career

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After playing independent baseball, Sowers earned his MBA from the University of North Carolina.[42] He worked corporate strategy for Walmart before returning to baseball with the Baltimore Orioles.[42][43]

In 2016, Sowers was hired by the Tampa Bay Rays to work as an assistant in their baseball operations department.[43][44] In February 2020, when James Click left the Rays to become the general manager of the Houston Astros, Sowers was promoted to manager of major league operations.[45]

Sowers and his wife, Ashley, have two daughters.[44]

References

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  1. ^ Kline, Chris (March 30, 2005). "Sowers shows consistency for Indians". Baseball America. Archived from the original on November 25, 2005. Retrieved March 12, 2007.
  2. ^ "2006 Cleveland Indians Media Guide" (PDF). MLB.com. pp. 239–240. Retrieved March 12, 2007. [permanent dead link]
  3. ^ Ferguson, Rick (June 5, 2001). "Tough choice for Reds' first-round pick". Cincinnati Reds. MLB.com. Archived from the original on April 1, 2002. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
  4. ^ "Louisville Slugger Freshmen All-American team". Collegiate Baseball Newspaper. June 5, 2002. Archived from the original on September 16, 2002. Retrieved March 12, 2007.
  5. ^ "Louisville Slugger pre-season All-American baseball teams". Collegiate Baseball Newspaper. December 19, 2003. Archived from the original on June 21, 2004. Retrieved March 12, 2007.
  6. ^ "Hill, Marchbanks, Laval, Head Earn SEC Baseball Honors". Southeastern Conference. May 19, 2003. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved March 12, 2007.
  7. ^ "SEBaseball.com Announces 2004 All-SEC Team". Southeastern Conference. May 18, 2004. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved March 12, 2007.
  8. ^ "2004 ABCA & Rawlings NCAA Division I All-Region". American Baseball Coaches Association. Archived from the original on July 20, 2011. Retrieved March 12, 2007.
  9. ^ "2002 Wareham Gatemen". The Baseball Cube. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  10. ^ "2003 Wareham Gatemen". The Baseball Cube. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  11. ^ Garner Jr., John (June 11, 2017). "Eight Former Greats to Enter Cape Cod Baseball League Hall of Fame". Cape Cod Baseball League. Archived from the original on September 15, 2017. Retrieved August 11, 2019.
  12. ^ Hill, Justice B. (June 7, 2004). "Indians make their pitch for arms". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Archived from the original on March 21, 2008. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
  13. ^ Kline, Chris (November 22, 2004). "Top Ten Prospects: Cleveland Indians". Baseball America. Archived from the original on November 23, 2004. Retrieved March 12, 2007.
  14. ^ a b c d "Jeremy Sowers Minor & Independent Leagues Statistics". Baseball Reference. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
  15. ^ Castrovince, Anthony (December 8, 2005). "Tribe honors Minors' Mulhern, Sowers". Cleveland Indians. MLB.com. Archived from the original on May 19, 2011. Retrieved March 12, 2007.
  16. ^ Kline, Chris (January 23, 2006). "Top Ten Prospects: Cleveland Indians". Baseball America. Archived from the original on February 12, 2006. Retrieved March 12, 2007.
  17. ^ Kline, Chris (September 29, 2005). "2005 Top 20 Prospects: Carolina League". Baseball America. Archived from the original on December 8, 2005. Retrieved March 12, 2007.
  18. ^ Matthews, Alan (October 3, 2005). "2005 Top 20 Prospects: Eastern League". Baseball America. Archived from the original on December 14, 2005. Retrieved March 12, 2007.
  19. ^ "Minor League Player of the Year by Team". The Baseball Cube. Archived from the original on October 16, 2011. Retrieved July 25, 2011.
  20. ^ Eddy, Matt (October 11, 2006). "International League Top 20 Prospects List". Baseball America. Archived from the original on October 22, 2006. Retrieved March 12, 2007.
  21. ^ "Indians RHP Johnson designated for assignment". ESPN. Associated Press. June 20, 2006. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
  22. ^ "Cincinnati Reds vs Cleveland Indians Box Score: June 25, 2006". Baseball Reference. June 25, 2006. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
  23. ^ Castrovince, Anthony (July 22, 2006). "Sowers throws a gem to oust Twins". Cleveland Indians. MLB.com. Archived from the original on April 18, 2008. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
  24. ^ "Indians' Sowers pitches second consecutive shutout in 1–0 win". CBS SportsLine. Associated Press. July 28, 2006. Archived from the original on August 27, 2006. Retrieved March 12, 2007.
  25. ^ "Cleveland Indians vs Boston Red Sox Box Score: August 2, 2006". Baseball Reference. August 2, 2006. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
  26. ^ a b c d "Jeremy Sowers Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More". Baseball Reference. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
  27. ^ Castrovince, Anthony (February 2, 2007). "Indians Spring Training quick hits". Cleveland Indians. MLB.com. Archived from the original on February 12, 2007. Retrieved March 12, 2007.
  28. ^ Castrovince, Anthony (June 10, 2007). "Sowers sent to Triple-A". Cleveland Indians. MLB.com. Archived from the original on June 16, 2007. Retrieved June 13, 2007.
  29. ^ Castrovince, Anthony (September 26, 2007). "Tribe settles for split after blown save". Cleveland Indians. MLB.com. Archived from the original on March 28, 2008. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
  30. ^ Castrovince, Anthony (March 24, 2008). "Lee earns starting job with Indians". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Archived from the original on March 26, 2008. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
  31. ^ "Francisco Optioned to Herd". Minor League Baseball. April 26, 2008. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
  32. ^ "New York Yankees vs Cleveland Indians Box Score: April 26, 2008". Baseball Reference. April 26, 2008. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
  33. ^ "Akron Aeros Game Notes 4/27/08". OurSports Central. April 27, 2008. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
  34. ^ "Jeremy Sowers recalled to Cleveland". Minor League Baseball. May 16, 2008. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
  35. ^ "Indians promote Aubrey, option Sowers". Cleveland Indians. MLB.com. May 17, 2008. Archived from the original on June 23, 2008. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
  36. ^ Castrovince, Anthony (June 8, 2008). "Tribe recalls Sowers, options Slocum". Cleveland Indians. MLB.com. Archived from the original on June 9, 2008. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
  37. ^ "Indians send LHP Sowers, 6 others to minors". The San Diego Union-Tribune. March 24, 2009. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
  38. ^ "Perez demoted; Sowers on deck". The News-Herald. Associated Press. May 7, 2009. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
  39. ^ "Indians send Sowers, Crowe, Toregas to the minors". The Repository. March 31, 2010. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
  40. ^ Massie, Jim (August 29, 2010). "Clippers leading Indianapolis". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
  41. ^ a b "Southern Maryland Blue Crabs - Atlantic League of Professional Baseball Clubs - team transactions". Pointstreak Sports Technologies.
  42. ^ a b Laurilia, David (May 6, 2016). "Jeremy Sowers: From Flawed Southpaw to MBA Ray". FanGraphs. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
  43. ^ a b "BOZICH | KCD's Will Smith vs. Ballard's Jeremy Sowers". WDRB. October 20, 2020. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
  44. ^ a b Mooney, Roger (April 18, 2016). "Rays' scout Sowers thrilled to be back in baseball | TBO.com and The Tampa Tribune". The Tampa Tribune. Archived from the original on April 20, 2016.
  45. ^ Topkin, Marc (February 4, 2020). "How the Rays will replace Astros-bound James Click". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved February 5, 2020.
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