Former big league reliever Ben Rowen has retired from playing, he tells Sam Blum of the Athletic. Last month, the 33-year-old accepted an advance scouting position with the Angels, the club with which he played in 2021.
Rowen appeared in parts of three MLB seasons, scattered over a seven-year span. His most extensive big league action came this past season, when he worked 11 1/3 innings over eight appearances with Anaheim before being designated for assignment in early May. After passing through outright waivers, the submariner pitched the rest of the season with Triple-A Salt Lake. He posted a 6.82 ERA across 30 1/3 innings with the Bees and elected minor league free agency at the end of the season.
Rather than pursuing another minor league deal, Rowen determined it best to begin his post-playing days. He tells Blum his new role functions as a sort of hybrid coaching/front office position. While he’s reporting to front office personnel, he’s expected to work closely with pitching coach Matt Wise and bullpen coach Dom Chiti in developing plans of attack for Angels’ hurlers based on their strengths and the weaknesses of opposing hitters.
Rowen, a former 22nd-round draft pick out of Virginia Tech, ultimately pitched professionally for twelve years. He split his MLB time between the Rangers, Brewers and Angels, tossing 23 innings of 6.26 ERA ball with 17 strikeouts and six walks. MLBTR wishes Rowen all the best in his post-playing endeavors.
We’ve reached the point in the lockout that Ben Rowen (who) retiring merits a story.
I will continue to click on all stories to support MLBTR during lockout days!
!!! I’m sure they appreciate it. Rowen does too ⚾️
I hope he is better at scouting than he is at pitching….
I mean he was utterly dominant for nearly the entirety of his minors career till he aged out
Yeah, it’s kind of odd he didn’t get more of a look. Maybe he always stunk it up in spring training
Is it just me, or does the live action submariner shot look oddly softballish?
Should be in a Mets thread
Don’t hate cus ur team ain’t the Mets
You have it backwards Mendoza. Don’t hate cus ur team is the Mets.
See you in Cooperstown Ben! Well deserved!
Well, I always thought it was cool he stuck around for so long. Must really love the game. Good luck on your new position, Ben!
I wouldn’t even consider this a retirement, this guy was horrible. More like he saw the writing on the wall.
OMG
Will you idiot billionaires and millionaires come to the inevitable agreement.
Not sure how much more of Korean baseball news and 22 round draft picks retiring I can stand.
There’s people starving everywhere. No one feels sorry for with of you .
Negotiators, DO YOU DAMN JOBS.
*For either of you
Good for him. He got a chance to play in the majors and now gets a front office job with a big league club at age 33.
Finally a constructive comment
Dom Chiti is listed on baseball-reference with the birth name Harry Dominic Chiti. Harry Chiti was a good enough catcher to catch 500 or so big league games.. That’s not chopped liver.
That said, there’s a story floating around the internet that a trade was announced where the Mets acquired Harry Chiti in exchange for a player to be named later. And later, the player to be named turned out to be Harry Chiti.
MLBTR version::
Nightengale tweeted that the Mets talked to the Indians about a Harry Chiti for Harry Chiti swap….
but nothing came of it.
MISSED IT BY THAT [ = ] MUCH !!
According to informed sources, The Marlins were in on Ben Rowan right up until he signed the deal to join the Angels.. The Marlins made a “strong” offer, but not one that matched the Angels’ financial commitment. The Marlins weren’t the only team to be outbid.
The Minnesota Twins had also been linked to Rowan. (and Martin too) VERRY INTERESTING
I cut this guy’s hair once. He was pretty funny. Talking about what it’s like being a nobody reliever in the big leagues. He loved it though and was super nice. Always hoped for the best for him!