The Texas Rangers Call Up Relief Pitcher Ben Rowen

Feb 25, 2014; Surprise, AZ, USA; Texas Rangers pitcher Ben Rowen poses for a portrait during photo day at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Ben Rowen has had a wild career since high school but Rowen has always taken advantage of his opportunities and taken the steps necessary to be very successful. Rowen started out his college career by being dominant at Los Angeles Harbor College before transferring after his sophomore season to Virginia Tech. Rowen would become a reliable closer for the Hokies with former manager Patrick Hughes saying to hokiesports.com, “Ben is the most reliable guy coming out of our bullpen.”

Ben Rowen’s wild ride would continue after his senior season as he would be a 22nd round pick by the Texas Rangers in the 2010 MLB Draft. At this point in the draft, any MLB team taking a college senior with a pick in this range is thinking that this will be a player who ust fills out a minor league roster of some sorts. However, Rowen was ready to take on this challenge and achieve his goal of reaching the major leagues which is exactly what he would do.

From 2010 to 2013, Ben Rowen would never have an ERA below 2.00 despite the fact that he was climbing the minor league ladder rather quickly. Rowen would only be mainly a closer at Single-A Myrtle Beach where he had 19 saves in 2012 to prove that he could be a reliable guy even in the ninth inning. In 2014 at Triple-A Round Rock, Rowen would not be as dominant in his past years but Rowen still had a 2.75 ERA in 16 appearances with 14 strikeouts and only 2 walks.

Rowen has proven himself in the minors and now will get his shot in the big leagues.

Ben Rowen was called up by the Texas Rangers today and will give the Rangers another solid reliever as they look to chase down the Oakland Athletics in the AL West. Rowen will look to prove that he should stay in the majors long term and not be a guy that ends up back in the minors in the near future. Rowen will get to join former Hokie Joe Saunders in Arlington and Rowen is definitely ready to take advantage of this opportunity.

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