Bowman Selected By Milwaukee In Ninth Round of 2008 MLB Draft
LEXINGTON, Va.- Junior Michael Bowman became VMI’s highest-drafted player in 13 years when Milwaukee selected the right-hander in the ninth round of the 2008 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft on Friday.
Bowman (Richmond, Va./Deep Run) was the draft’s 278th selection, becoming the highest-drafted Keydet since Ryan Glynn was the 94th overall selection in the 1995 draft. Bowman is the second Keydet to be taken by the Brewers, joining Phil Hendrix, who was selected in the 35th round of the 2003 draft.
“Getting this opportunity is a dream come true,” said Bowman, who learned of his selection when teammate Daniel Wood called him. “I’m getting the chance to follow what every kid wants to do when he starts playing baseball. I thank VMI for giving me the opportunity to get better and to make that dream possible. If I wasn’t at VMI, this wouldn’t have happened.”
In his three years at VMI, Bowman is among the top five in several of the school’s career categories. His .245 opponents’ batting average is the best in school history, while his 3.32 ERA ranks second, his 14 wins rank third, his 209 strikeouts rank fourth, as do his 8.35 strikeouts per nine innings and 2.80 walks per nine innings ratios.
“This is a great opportunity for Michael,” said VMI head coach Marlin Ikenberry. “We’re all really proud of his accomplishments and the hard work that he has put in to get to this point. We’re happy for him, and now he’s got some big decisions to make in the near future.”
This season, Bowman ranked among the Big South Conference’s leaders in ERA (3.44), strikeouts (82), innings pitched (91.2) and opposing batting average (.246). He was a Second Team All-Conference selection in 2007, and was listed on the Preseason Wallace Award Watch List this season.
