Trojans Lose a Top Pitching Prospect, Ryan Bowen, to the Major Leagues

Pitcher Ryan Bowen from Hanford, Calif., one of the top two prep baseball prospects in the state last season, evidently knows his way around the rule book as well as a baseball diamond.

Supposedly, Bowen was to make a decision on signing with the Houston Astros or accepting a scholarship to play at USC by last Tuesday, the first day of classes. But when the day of decision came, he did neither and kept both options open simply by not attending school.

It was clear to USC coaches that final details were being worked out on a contract, including passing a physical, and that the Astros had won out. Monday, it became official when Bowen, the 13th pick in the June draft, signed a contract.

“Without knowing what the numbers are, I can say that the kid had a very, very genuine interest in coming to school here,” new Trojan Coach Mike Gillespie said last week when it became apparent that the Trojans were going to lose Bowen. “I’m certain that, whatever the offer was, it would have been almost impossible for him to turn it down.”

Bowen, who pitched for the West in the recent Olympic Festival in Houston, has a fastball that has been clocked at 88 m.p.h. He compiled an 11-1 record and struck out 149 in 76 innings his senior season.