Things have been clicking for Central Catholic graduate Jase Bowen in the month of June.
Bowen, in his second season with Pittsburgh’s Single-A affiliate in Bradenton, Fla., has a 12-game hitting streak going. After batting .243 in April and .230 in May, the outfielder is connecting at a healthy .354 clip in June.
Among batters with three or more plate appearances per game, Bowen is tied with Palm Beach’s Osvaldo Tovalin for the top batting average in the Florida State League for the month.
"I have been really trying to simplify at the plate, whether that be my load or my thoughts at the plate,” Bowen told The Blade. “The mental approach has really helped me this month.”
Six of the first seven games in Bowen’s current hit streak were two-hit outings. He has four doubles and a home run during the streak, in which his season batting average has climbed from .242 to .275. He has hits in 20 of the 22 games Bradenton has played this month.
“Being in this league again has given me the sense of comfortability,” Bowen said. “I know what to expect this time around and some familiarity with the coaching staff. Just knowing what to expect and how to go about things definitely helps."
Last week at Dunedin, Bowen went 7 of 20 (.350) with three doubles and five RBIs. For the season, he has eight home runs, 41 RBIs, and a .357 on-base percentage.
“At this point, Bowen should see [High-A] Greensboro soon,” John Dreker of piratesprospects.com wrote. “His versatility allows him to join a new team without forcing them to promote a prospect who isn’t ready, or platoon players to make room in the lineup. He can play six positions already. He’s never played shortstop in the pros, but I know that he’s played/practiced there before, so when you throw in the DH spot, you could fill him in at 7-8 positions. He’s really starting to tap into that athleticism that made him such an intriguing draft pick, who passed on a two-sport college offer to go pro.”
In the majors (statistics through Sunday’s games)
■ Chris Bassitt (Genoa, Mets): Picked up a win in his most recent outing Saturday, going seven innings at Miami (3 ER, 6 H, 0 BB, 5 K). He has victories in two of his past three outings, giving him a 6-5 record on the season with a 4.01 ERA, 95 strikeouts, and a 1.15 WHIP in 89⅔ innings pitched.
■ Jon Berti (Bowling Green State University, Marlins): Has a 10-game hit streak, going 9 of 24 (.375) for the week. He’s batting .298 for the season with two home runs, 14 RBIs, and a .393 on-base percentage. His 21 stolen bases leads the majors.
■ Art Warren (Napoleon, Reds): Made three one-inning appearances in games against the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco, giving up a home run while striking out three. He’s 2-3 with three saves in 29 appearances, posting a 6.84 ERA with 30 strikeouts and a 1.44 WHIP in 26⅓ innings pitched.
■ Matt Wisler (Bryan, Rays): Made two relief appearances last week, giving up a hit while striking out three in three innings of work. He’s 2-1 with a save and a 2.08 ERA in 30 appearances, striking out 28 with a 1.04 WHIP in 34⅔ innings pitched.
Farm notes (statistics through Sunday’s games)
■ Zach Willeman (Napoleon, Royals, Triple-A Omaha): Made three one-inning relief appearances against Columbus, allowing a hit and three walks while striking out three. He’s 1-1 with a 4.15 ERA in eight appearances since his May 31 call-up to Triple-A, striking out 11 with a 1.15 WHIP in 8⅔ innings pitched. The Toledo Mud Hens are scheduled to play July 4-10 in Omaha, with the Storm Chasers set to visit Toledo Aug. 9-14.
■ Connor Curlis (Findlay, Reds, Double-A Chattanooga): Took a pair of losses last week, allowing five runs on seven hits in 5⅓ innings, including four home runs, on Tuesday at Tennessee and five runs on six hits on Sunday at Tennessee. He’s 2-5 with a 5.58 ERA, striking out 73 with a 1.37 WHIP in 71 innings pitched.
■ Joey Wiemer (Bedford, Brewers, Double-A Biloxi): Went 5 of 20 (.250) with a home run and four RBIs in six games against Pensacola. He’s batting .274 on the season with 15 home runs, 45 RBIs, 21 stolen bases, and a .353 on-base percentage.
■ Deylen Miley (Bryan, Astros, Low-A Fayetteville): Pitched an inning of relief Wednesday against Augusta, allowing a hit. He’s 2-2 with a 4.36 ERA , striking out 55 with a 1.59 WHIP in 43⅓ innings pitched.
■ Cody Orr (Rossford, Astros, Low-A Fayetteville): Went 4 of 19 (.211) against Augusta last week. He’s batting .214 with a home run, 11 RBIs, and a .332 on-base percentage.
First Published June 27, 2022, 2:58 p.m.