Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects: Jase Bowen's Strong Start to the AFL Season Continues

Even though the Salt River Rafters are off to a 1-2 start, Pittsburgh Pirates outfield/first base prospect Jase Bowen is off to a strong start in the Arizona Fall League

The Arizona Fall League season is starting to get into full swing. Wednesday night, the Salt River Rafters played their third game of the AFL season, falling to 1-2 following a 5-4 loss against the Scottsdale Scorpions. In the loss, three Pittsburgh Pirates prospects played for the Rafters.

After starting the first two games of the AFL season at shortstop for Salt River, Jack Brannigan was out of the lineup on Wednesday night. However, for the third night in a row, Jase Bowen was in the lineup. Bowen served as the team's desiganted hitter. He has made a start in right field, at first base, and now as DH.

Bowen went 2-for-3 with a walk, a double, and he drove in a pair of runs. He is now 5-for-11 with a pair of doubles and a walk through his first three games of the AFL season. This strong start to the AFL season builds upon the strong 2023 season that Bowen had.

Even though Bowen was the only Pirate position player prospect to play for the Rafters on Wednesday night, a pair of pitchers did pitch out of the bullpen.

Lefty Nick Dombkowski pitched the 4th and 5th innings. In his 2 innings pitched, Dombkowski allowed a run on four hits, no walks, and he struck a batter out. He did a great job filling up the strike zone throwing 18 of 24 pitches for strikes.

Fellow lefty Tyler Samaniego took the ball in hte 9th inning. Samaniego threw 6 of 11 pitches for strikes while striking a batter out in a 1-2-3 9th inning.

Make sure to stay tuned here at Rum Bunter for all the Pirate related action from throughout the AFL season.