Jonathan Bowlan is an emerging right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball (MLB) who has drawn attention for his towering 6’6″ frame and steady performances out of the bullpen. Known for his work with the Kansas City Royals, Bowlan’s journey from a high draft pick to big-league contributor highlights resilience, growth, and upside.
Contract & Financial Background
Jonathan Bowlan was selected by the Kansas City Royals in the second round (58th overall) of the 2018 MLB Draft out of the University of Memphis.
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Draft Signing Bonus: Approximately $697,500 upon signing in 2018.
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MLB Contracts:
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Bowlan signed pre-arbitration contracts with the Royals through the 2025 season, with incremental increases typical for players under team control early in their careers.
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For 2026, he is projected to earn about $820,000 in his pre-arbitration year.
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His service time and salary levels reflect his trajectory as a developing bullpen arm.
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As of December 2025, Bowlan was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies in a roster move that saw Kansas City acquire veteran relief pitcher Matt Strahm in return — a strategic exchange reflecting Bowlan’s value as a controllable piece with upside.
MLB Career & Royals Tenure
Bowlan’s MLB debut came on September 27, 2023, with the Royals after several seasons of development through the minors, including battling back from Tommy John surgery and pitching both as a starter and reliever in the Royals’ system.
With Kansas City from 2023 through 2025, Bowlan established himself as a bullpen contributor:
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MLB Career Record: 1–4
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Earned Run Average (ERA): Around 4.32
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Strikeouts: 52 through 50 innings pitched.
He appeared mainly in relief but has occasional spot starts early in his MLB usage.
2025 Season Performance & MLB Stats
In 2025, Bowlan posted his most significant MLB workload to date as a relief pitcher:
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Appearances: 34 games
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Win–Loss: 1–2
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ERA: 3.86
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Innings Pitched: 44.1
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Strikeouts: 46
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WHIP: 1.22.
These numbers reflect a solid middle-innings reliever role, bolstering the Royals’ bullpen depth throughout the season.
Statcast & Savant Metrics
Advanced metrics on Baseball Savant illustrate Bowlan’s profile and performance quality beyond traditional stats:
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Pitching Style: Bowlan’s arsenal produces strong strikeout rates and efficient inning management.
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2025 Detailed Savant Data:
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xERA (Expected ERA): Comparable to his actual ERA, suggesting consistent performance aligned with quality of contact and outcomes.
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K% and BB%: His strikeout and walk rates align with effective bullpen arms, highlighting his ability to miss bats and manage traffic on base.
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These advanced metrics paint a picture of a reliever whose actual results reflect underlying process and execution rather than luck.
2025 Splits & Usage Insights
Understanding Bowlan’s splits gives deeper insight into how he was deployed in the 2025 season:
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Vs. Right-Handed Batters: Strong performance with a much lower batting average against and WHIP compared to lefties.
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Vs. Left-Handed Batters: Higher ERA and average allowed, typical for a pitcher whose primary strengths favor one lineup side.
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Runners On Base Situations: Like many relievers, Bowlan’s ERA increases when inherited runners score or pressure situations arise — a useful lens into his high-leverage performance.
These splits indicate Bowlan’s role as a mid-inning reliever where matchup and situational performance can vary.
Outlook & Potential
Now part of the Philadelphia Phillies organization via trade, Bowlan brings a combination of size, strikeout ability, and developmental upside into a new environment where pitching depth is valued.
At 29 years old (as of 2025) and with multiple years of pre-arbitration control still ahead, he represents both a short-term bullpen option and long-term project with rotation elasticity potential.
In summary, Jonathan Bowlan’s journey from a second-round pick to MLB contributor highlights his perseverance and evolving skill set. With a blend of traditional statistics and sophisticated Savant insights, Bowlan’s profile is increasingly relevant for teams seeking affordable, controllable pitching depth.
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