Former Red Sox top prospect Michael Bowden has opted out of his contract with the Orioles, reports David Hall of the Virginian Pilot (via Twitter). As Hall notes, the 28-year-old Bowden was leading the Triple-A International League with a 1.91 ERA. In 75 1/3 innings (nine starts 15 relief appearances), Bowden averaged 6.2 K/9 against 2.4 BB/9. The former supplemental round pick ranked among the game’s Top 100 prospects from 2007-09, per Baseball America and Baseball Prospectus. Bowden and his representatives with Turner Gary Sports will now have the option to seek a new club — perhaps one that will consider him for a big league roster spot — for the season’s second half.
Minor MLB Transactions: 7/16/15
