COURTESY PHOTO
Lynn English grad Ben Bowden, who currently pitches at Vanderbilt, is all smiles after being drafted by the Rockies as he poses with his high school coach, Joe Caponigro, and Caponigro’s son, John.
BY STEVE KRAUSE
LYNN — Former Lynn English pitcher Ben Bowden, who, while in high school, pitched a perfect game against Marblehead High, was selected in the second round of Thursday’s Major League Baseball Draft by the Colorado Rockies.
Bowden, a left-hander who just completed his junior year at Vanderbilt University in Tennessee, was the 45th pick in the draft.
“I can’t even explain how I feel right now,” said Bowden after hearing from the Rockies. “This is bigger than I could have ever imagined. I can’t even describe what’s going on right now.”
Joe Caponigro, who coached him at English and who was at the Bowdens’ house in Lynn Thursday night, said the family, which congregated at the house to watch the proceedings on MLB Network, erupted when word came.
“It’s so emotional,” he said. “It’s just amazing to be a part of it. He’s a great character kid, and the sky’s the limit for him. He’s going to do some great things.”
Bowden was a freshman when Vanderbilt won the College World Series by beating South Carolina. Last year, his sophomore season, the Gamecocks returned the favor. This year, Vandy bowed out before the Super Regionals, which begin this weekend.
This season, Bowden started five games and appeared in 23 overall, finishing with a record of 2-1 with a 3.51 earned run average. He struck out 65.
Bowden is pretty sure he will sign.
“I’ll have to speak with some people within the organization,” he said. “I”ll go out and visit shortly. As of right now, of course, nothing’s official until it’s in writing. But I’m feeling pretty confident that I’m ready to start my professional career.”
He said he wasn’t too worried about getting drafted.
“I was anxious,” he said. “I tried to be as relaxed as possible, but of course that’s easier said than done I knew I was in a pretty good position, and I’ve ended up in a pretty good position.”
